The Cope Thunder air combat exercises returned to Philippine skies on Tuesday for the first time in three decades, with US and Filipino fighter jets simulating engagements with an enemy force over the West Philippine Sea (WPS). 'They're going to fight from over the water and look to gain ground and work toward the coastlines,' Cpt. Tank Martin of the Pacific Air Forces told reporters, explaining the day's drills involving F-16 fighter jets of the US Air Force (USAF) soaring in pairs with FA-50 lead-in fighter trainers of the Philippine Air Force (PAF).

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