THE PHILIPPINE and Japan air forces are set to hold unit-to-unit exchanges from November 27 to December 11 to enhance bilateral defense cooperation, according to a statement released by the Japanese Embassy on Tuesday.
“Deployed units from both parties will undergo exchange programs aimed at promoting mutual understanding and defense cooperation and exchanges,” it said.
The Philippine Air Force and Japan Air Self-Defense Force will conduct the activities at the Clark Air Base in Pampanga, located north of the capital Manila.
The embassy said Japan will deploy two F-15 fighter aircraft and send 60 personnel from their air defense command.
The two countries’ air forces also held bilateral exercises on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief in July 2021 and June 2022. The program sought to improve their ability to deliver relief goods to victims in severe emergencies. — Alyssa Nicole O. Tan