Philippines, US joint air patrol exercises underway over South China Sea

Reuters
Two Philippine Air Force FA-50s, left, fly alongside two US Air Force F-15C Eagles over the South China Sea during the joint maritime and air patrols during an earlier exercise on Nov. 21, 2023. (US Air Force/AFP)
  • The one-day exercise was being carried out in the West Philippine Sea
  • Two of the Philippines’ FA-50 fighter aircrafts participating, along with two US B1-B bombers

MANILA: The air forces of the Philippines and the United States were holding joint patrols over the South China Sea on Tuesday, a spokesperson for the Philippine Air Force said.
The one-day exercise was being carried out in the West Philippine Sea, Philippine air force spokesperson Maria Consuelo Castillo said, using Manila’s term for waters in the South China Sea that fall within its exclusive economic zone.
Castillo said the two of the Philippines’ FA-50 fighter aircrafts were participating, along with two US B1-B bombers.