Photo By Staff Sgt. Jordan Garner | U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Phillip Mallory, Hawaii Air National Guard commander...... read more read more
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CLARK AIR BASE, Philippines – U.S. Pacific Air Forces and Philippine Air Force members officially commenced Exercise Cope Thunder 26-1, with primary flight operations over Basa Air Base, Philippines, to operate from April 6 through April 17, 2026.
This PACAF-sponsored exercise is aimed to strengthen partnerships and support the Philippine Air Force’s modernization efforts, promoting regional and global stability. More than 200 personnel are scheduled to participate in support of flight operations during this iteration of the exercise.
“For the Hawaii Air National Guard, this partnership is especially meaningful,” says Brig. Gen. Phillip Mallory, Hawaii Air National Guard commander. “We just celebrated 25 years as state partners with the Philippines and certainly look forward to the next 25 and beyond. This is the third time in the last four years that Hawaii based F-22 Raptors have been to the Philippines.”
Originating in the Philippines in 1976, Cope Thunder relocated to Eielson Air Force Base in 1992, later rebranding as Red Flag Alaska. Resuming in the Philippines in 2023, this exercise offers a distinctive platform to integrate forces and enhance interoperability between the Philippine and United States air forces.
“This exercise represents far more than flight operations or tactical proficiency,” says Mallory. “The connections formed here between pilots, maintainers, planners and leaders are what make our partnership enduring and deep into the trust in our alliance to our Philippine partners. We are proud to stand and train alongside our Philippine partners.”
During this iteration of the exercise, the partnered forces will conduct Subject Matter Expert (SME) exchanges and joint flight operations, demonstrating a shared vision of maintaining security, stability, prosperity, and peace throughout the Indo-Pacific. -30-
| Date Taken: | 04.05.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 04.11.2026 00:15 |
| Story ID: | 562420 |
| Location: | CLARK AIR BASE, PH |
| Web Views: | 8 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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