Japanese Fighter Jets Land in Philippines for 1st Time since WWII

On Tuesday, two Japanese fighter planes landed in the Philippines for the first time since World War II, as part of the cooperation between the Japan Air Self-Defense Forces and the Philippine Air Force.

The two F-15 fighter jets have arrived at Clark Air Base, where about 60 ASDF members are participating in the exchanges held from November 27 to December 11 in an effort to enhance mutual understanding and defense cooperation between the forces of the two countries, according to the ASDF.

Shotaro Arisawa, a squadron commanding officer of the ASDF, said at a ceremony held at the base in Mabalacat, north of Manila, on the main island of Luzon, The arrival of the fighters marks a milestone in the history of defense exchanges between Japan and the government.

Leo Fontanella, a commander of the Philippine Air Force, stated that he will continue to work "hand in hand" with the ASDF to "strengthen our friendship and partnership and strengthen both our Air Force in order to effectively and effectively maintain peace and stability in our region."

The ASDF reported that along with the two F-15s, a refueling plane and a transport plane have been sent to the base.

Connor Anthony Canlas, the Philippine Air Force's commanding general, told Kyodo News late last month that he welcomed the first visit of Japanese fighter jets to the Philippines since the war, saying that the Japanese "are now our allies" who believe in the rule of law.

During the war, when the Philippines was occupied by the Japanese Empire for more than three years, it used the airport in part as a staging ground for suicide kamikaze attacks against the US forces.

Amid China's assertive military activities in the South China Sea, the Philippines and Japan have strengthened defense cooperation.