USAF F-35 Fighters Conduct Initial Flight from the Philippines During Cope Thunder Military Drills
U.S. F-35s Take Flight Over the Philippines in Historic Exercise
The skies above the Philippines witnessed a significant milestone in July 2025, as U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II fighter jets made their debut at the Clark Air Base. This marked the first time a squadron of the conventional take-off and landing (CTOL) variant of the F-35 operated in the Philippines, participating in the joint U.S.-Philippines air exercise called "Cope Thunder 25-2".
The exercise, which ran from July 7 to July 18, 2025, saw the U.S. Pacific Air Forces and the Philippine Air Force, including FA-50 fighter jets, come together to enhance interoperability and strengthen bilateral defense ties. The regional security landscape, with its rising tensions in the South China Sea, provided the backdrop for this exercise.
Cope Thunder, a longstanding bilateral exercise originally started in 1976, focuses on fighter training and readiness. For this iteration, more than 2,500 personnel were involved, with over 2,300 from the Philippine Air Force and 225 from the U.S. Pacific Air Forces.
The F-35s flew alongside FA-50 jets, A-29 light attack planes, and helicopters from the Philippine Air Force, demonstrating the combined might of the two air forces. Images shared by PACAF show U.S. and Filipino Airmen sharing expertise on various aspects such as airfield management, maintenance, and refueling.
This deployment was a significant milestone reflecting deepened U.S.-Philippines military cooperation. In March 2023, American F-22s landed at Clark Air Base for the first time, signalling a similar strengthening of ties.
The presence of F-35s marked the biggest milestone for the exercise. This month's Cope Thunder marked the first time that U.S. F-35As have flown out of the Philippines. The jets were based out of Basa Air Base and focused on the northern Luzon region of the Philippines.
The exercise took place at a time when the Philippines is closest to Taiwan geographically. In a significant departure from past policy, the Philippines has been increasing its ties with Taiwan, a self-governing island. The Washington Post reported this week about this development.
The U.S. Marine Corps sent F-35B fighters to train out of Clark in 2024, further solidifying the U.S.'s commitment to the Philippines. The brief release marking the start of the exercise was issued by Pacific Air Forces, highlighting the importance of this event.
This deployment is part of a series of exercises the U.S. Air Force is flying across the Pacific this summer. In the past two weeks, the U.S. Air Force has sent forces to Talon Shield and Talisman Sabre, Red Flag-Alaska, Mobility Guardian, and Resolute Force Pacific.
As the U.S. and the Philippines continue to strengthen their military ties, exercises like Cope Thunder are crucial in maintaining a strong regional security posture. The U.S. Air Force's continued presence in the region underscores its commitment to its allies and partners in the face of evolving security challenges.
- The U.S. Air Force's deployment of F-35As in the Philippines during Cope Thunder 25-2 signified a significant expansion in their joint defense efforts, demonstrating their shared commitment to regional security, especially in view of tensions in the South China Sea.
- As the Philippines strengthens its ties with Taiwan, the industry and finance sectors are expected to play key roles in supporting the expansion of the aerospace sector, with potential investments in aircraft manufacturing and maintenance.
- To fortify its presence and influence in the region, the U.S. Air Force is conducting a series of exercises throughout the Pacific this summer, including Cope Thunder, Red Flag-Alaska, and Talon Shield, among others, highlighting the importance of collaborative defense and resource allocation within the defense industry.
- The presence of F-35B fighters from the U.S. Marine Corps at Clark Air Base in 2024 indicates an emerging Space Force strategy, as the Philippines, being closest to Taiwan geographically, may become a strategic focal point for Space Force operations in the Asia-Pacific region, involving both air and space defense.
