Japan, Philippines Inaugural Joint Exercises Begin as China Announces Plans for South China Sea Drills

A Japan Air Self-Defense Force C-130 arrived at the Brigadier General Benito N. Ebuen Air Base in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu for the first joint drill between the Philippines and Japan under the Reciprocal Access Agreement. Image via the Philippines Air Force.

Japan and the Philippines kicked off a five-day joint air force exercise this week on the central island of Cebu, marking the first time the two militaries have trained together since a Reciprocal Access Agreement was signed last year.

The drills, known as “Doshin-Bayanihan 5-25,” focus specifically on improving coordination between the Philippine Air Force and Japan’s Air Self-Defense Force for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

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by Eric Olander

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