PH, US air forces hold joint patrol over West Philippine Sea

PAF’s FA50 aircraft along with US B-1B bomber aircraft during the PAF-PACAF Bilateral Air Patrol on April 29, 2025, over the West Philippine Sea. (Photo courtesy of 5th Fighter Wing⁩, PAF⁩)

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Air Force (PAF) and its United States (US) counterpart conducted a joint air patrol in the West Philippine Sea on Tuesday.

According to PAF, the air patrol was part of the Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MMCA) between the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the US Pacific Air Forces.

READ: PH, Japan, US hold maritime cooperative activity in WPS 

During the activity, PAF said three of its FA-50 aircraft, one B-1B Bomber aircraft, and two F-16 and F-18 aircraft from the US counterpart.

“This cooperative activity aims to strengthen collaboration and enhance interoperability between the AFP and US forces,” the PAF said in a statement.

“With this, the PAF reinforces its commitment and operational readiness to support the AFP’s mission in safeguarding the country’s territory and sovereign rights and promoting a secure and stable Indo-Pacific region,” it added.