Hawaii and Philippine aircrews deepen partnership with joint flights

CLARK AIR BASE, Philippines — Hawaii Army National Guard aviators and Philippine Air Force crews completed a Rotary Wing Subject Matter Expert Exchange from April 13-17, deepening tactical alignment and flying together aboard Philippine aircraft in one of the partnership’s most integrated iterations to date.

Held under the State Partnership Program, the engagement paired Hawaii Army National Guard aviation professionals with members of the Philippine Air Force’s 205th Tactical Helicopter Wing to exchange expertise, align tactics and execute bilateral flight operations. It marked only the second time Hawaii Army National Guard aviators have co-piloted, operated and flown in Philippine Air Force rotary-wing aircraft, a rare step that underscores growing trust and operational integration.

Building on the inaugural 2023 exchange in Cebu—where both sides focused on maintenance, standardization and shared operational practices—this year’s training advanced into sustained, hands-on flight operations. The progression moved the partnership beyond classroom discussions to cockpit-level collaboration.

Training centered on key rotary-wing mission sets, including multi-aircraft operations, external load and water bucket operations, hoist and medical evacuation capabilities, and maintenance standardization. Those topics were reinforced through joint sorties aboard Philippine Air Force S-70i Black Hawk helicopters, spanning maintenance test flights, local-area orientation flights and standardization training.

“For us, this training strengthens how we respond, whether it’s disaster relief, medical evacuation or hoist operations across the Philippines,” said Lt. Col. John Paul Delgado, commander of the 205th Tactical Helicopter Wing. “It sharpens coordination in complex environments and builds the interoperability needed to remain mission-ready – anytime, anywhere.”

The exchange aligns with United States Indo-Pacific Command priorities by strengthening alliances and improving the ability to respond rapidly to regional challenges, including humanitarian assistance and disaster response.

“It is an absolute privilege to share the same flight deck and fly with my brothers and sisters in the Philippine Air Force,” said Maj. John Worthington, Hawaii Army National Guard aviation standardization pilot. “Together, our pride, professionalism and linked cultures have laid the foundation for our partnership, strengthening integrated deterrence through our bilateral training.”

Participants also compared best practices in H-60M maintenance, logistics and standardization to improve rotary-wing efficiency. The inclusion of an Air Force M134D Minigun subject-matter expert supported the Philippine Air Force’s integration of new capabilities.

Ongoing dialogue on operational alignment, safety and information sharing accompanied the flights, keeping both forces synchronized for complex rotary-wing missions while reinforcing confidence built in the cockpit.