The Philippines and United States air forces conducted joint patrols over the South China Sea, specifically in the West Philippine Sea. This one-day exercise involved the participation of Philippine FA-50 fighter jets and U.

Two US Air Force B-1 bombers joined three Philippine FA-50 fighter jets in air patrol and intercept exercises over Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal recently, the first joint military drills between the Philippines and the US under the Trump administration.

Air patrol exercise underscores Manila’s efforts to assert its maritime claims while testing US commitment to regional security, analysts say.