Increase in training of Philippines, US forces eyed

MANILA, Philippines — A senior US Air Force officer in the Pacific is eyeing an increase in training opportunities between his unit and the Filipino forces.

Gen. Charles Brown Jr., US Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) commander, and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Benjamin Madrigal Jr. discussed the proposal of increasing the tempo of training exercises between the two air forces.

The US Embassy issued a statement saying Brown discussed with Madrigal the possibility of increasing multilateral training opportunities between the PACAF and the AFP during his visit at Camp Aguinaldo.

Brown was in the country from Wednesday until Friday for a series of engagements with top AFP officials.  

“Our relationship with the Philippines is one of our most enduring relationships in the Indo-Pacific region,” the US embassy said, quoting Brown as telling Madrigal during their meeting.

The PACAF commander also emphasized the importance of enhanced engagement between both forces, specifically the Philippine Air Force, as it will not only be beneficial to both the Philippines and the US but also to the entire region.

Past air force-to-air force joint exercises between the Philippines and the US were limited and the combined air training was only highlighted during the yearly Phl-US joint Balikatan exercises.

“Enhanced engagement between our people and our forces benefits the entire region, and is grounded in personal relationships established during visits such as these,” Brown said.

Brown later had a meeting with PAF commander Lt. Gen. Rozzano Briguez at Villamor Air Base in Pasay City where they discussed issues involving PACAF’s building partner capacity in the PAF.