US A-10 Thunderbolt IIs operate in Philippines

A number of United States Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II close air support (CAS) aircraft have been conducting operations off Clark Air Base in Pampanga for Exercise Balikatan 2018.

The A-10 was designed for close air support (CAS) of friendly ground troops, attacking armored vehicles and tanks, and providing quick-action support against enemy ground forces.

The A-10 Thunderbolt IIs operating for Balikatan 2018 are part of 25th Fighter Squadron deployed from Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea.

Balikatan 2018 officially started May 7 and will end on May 18.

Balikatan is an annual US-Philippine multilateral military exercise focused on mutual defense, counterterrorism, humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief.

This year’s Balikatan is the 34th iteration with focus on a variety of missions, including humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, counterterrorism, and other combined military operations.