US, Philippines conclude Cope Thunder 24-1 Published April 24, 2024 By Staff Sgt. Kimberly Touchet Pacific Air Forces Public Affairs BASA AIR BASE, Philippines -- The U.S. Air Force and Philippine Air Force brought to a close Cope Thunder-Philippines 2024 (CT PH 24-1), a bilateral fighter training operation, April 19, at Basa Air Base in Pampanga, Philippines. Cope Thunder brought together over 250 Airmen and 12 aircraft from the U.S. Air Force and over 400 airmen and aircraft from PAF to integrate the latest capabilities and technologies, enabling interoperability at all levels. “This exercise plays a key role in strengthening our alliance and improving our combined readiness to rapidly execute operations with integrated capabilities,” said Chris Veazie, CT PH 24-1 exercise operations project officer. “We are able to use this opportunity with PAF to anticipate limitations, share technologies, and utilize our logistics systems to support operations in a different environment.” Subject Matter Expert Exchanges paved the way to innovative conversations and training for various units, such as security forces, maintenance, and logistics. “The bilateral training in Cope Thunder better prepares us for the joint and multilateral integration in Balikatan. Both exercises enhance U.S. Air Force and PAF readiness and better prepare our nations to face any threat shoulder-to-shoulder,” said Lt. Col. Keegan “Dirty” Dale, 13th Fighter Squadron commander and CT PH 24-1 exercise commander. “We want to continue strengthening our ties to achieve our shared vision of a peaceful and stable Indo-Pacific.”