The exercises will cover 'part' of Scarborough Shoal, a feature that's within the Philippine exclusive economic zone but that China has controlled since 2012
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MANILA, Philippines – The air forces of the Philippines and the United States conducted, for the first time in 2025, a bilateral bomber air patrol over the West Philippine Sea, the Philippine Air Force said Tuesday, February 4. The exercise took place over the West Philippine Sea, including “part” of the contested Bajo de Masinloc or Scarborough Shoal.
The exercise will involve the two of the PAF’s FA-50 aircraft, as well as two of the US Pacific Air Forces’ B-1 aircraft. The drills started Tuesday afternoon. The aircraft from the Philippines and the US were set to rendezvous off the west coast of the Philippines before proceeding to conduct “bilateral air patrols, air intercept training, and photo exercises,” all within the Philippine exclusive economic zone.
China claims most of the South China Sea, including areas in the Philippines’ EEZ. China has regularly harassed Philippine vessels — from the civilian coast guard or fisherfolk — that try to approach Scarborough Shoal. At least one China Coast Guard ship patrols the entrance to the shoal’s lagoon at all times.
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