A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II taxis to the runway for a bilateral training flight during Cope Thunder 25-2 at Clark Air Base, Philippines, July 7, 2025. The exercise enhances interoperability between the U.S. Air Force and the Philippine Air Force and supported the Armed Forces of the Philippines' modernization efforts. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Aden Brown)

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U.S. Air Force Capt. Tyler Rico, 421st Mission Generation Force Element F-35A Lightning II pilot, climbs into the cockpit of his aircraft during Cope Thunder 25-2 on the flightline of Clark Air Base, Philippines, July 7, 2025. The exercise allows Airmen to train alongside Philippine Air Force counterparts, demonstrating the shared vision of maintaining security, stability, prosperity, and peace throughout the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Aden Brown)

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U.S. Air Force maintainers assigned to the 421st Mission Generation Force Element refuel an F-35A Lightning II prior to bilateral flight training at Clark Air Base, Philippines, July 7, 2025. Exercise Cope Thunder 25-2 allows Airmen to train alongside their Philippine Air Force counterparts, demonstrating a shared vision of maintaining security, stability, prosperity and peace throughout the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Aden Brown)

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Established in the Philippines in 1976, Cope Thunder provides a unique platform to integrate U.S. and Philippine Air Forces and enhance interoperability through bilateral fighter training, subject matter expert exchanges and key leadership engagements. Cope Thunder 25-2 also marked the first time a USAF F-35A Lightning II squadron has deployed to the Philippines.

“It’s obvious that this isn’t a relationship that’s simply on paper,” said Lt. Col. Bryan Mussler, 421st Mission Generation Force Element commander. “We’ve been integrating with them for a long time, and their mentality and approach to operations is very similar to ours.”

Subject matter expert exchanges during the exercise enabled U.S. and Philippine Airmen in similar career fields to share best practices and effective techniques aimed at improving day-to-day operations for both forces. These exchanges included maintenance, firefighting, airfield operations, electromagnetic warfare and basic fighter maneuvers, with U.S. and Philippine pilots flying side by side.

“We worked closely with the PAF pilots, and it was clear they are professional and highly capable aviators that employ their weapon systems with skill and precision,” said Capt. Tobey Fisher, 421st Mission Generation Force Element F-35A instructor pilot. “Additionally, this exercise afforded the 421st MGFE the opportunity to operate at a remote airfield with minimal support.”

The F-35A Lightning II maintenance team supported Cope Thunder 25-2 with a lean, agile team, operating with roughly one-third of the personnel they typically have at their home station.

“It’s really cool to see such a small team come here and execute the mission,” said Maj. Clinton Bialcak, 421st Fighter Generation Squadron commander, referring to executing the F-35 maintenance mission. “I think everyone in the region, in the world, and in the Department of Defense sees that we can do it and they can rely on us.”

The U.S. Air For