For the First Time Since the Vietnam War, Two Massive U.S. Gunships Are in the Philippines for Balikatan Exercises
Not one but two massive gunships from the United States Air Force are in the country for this year’s Balikatan military exercises between the U.S. and the Philippines.
The pair of Lockheed AC-130J gunships were spotted landing in Cubi Point, the former American naval station in Subic Bay, Zambales.
ALSO READ
The U.S. and the Philippines Are Holding the Largest Balikatan in History
Over 12,000 U.S. Soldiers Will Descend on the Philippines for the Largest Balikatan in History
Nicknamed Ghostriders, the gunships were first developed during the Vietnam War for close air support, air interdiction, and force protection. The J variant of the 130, which first achieved initial operational capability in 2017, is lighter and more fuel efficient than previous versions, can fly at 669 kilometers per hour, and has a range of 4,800 kilometers.
Each AC-130J is costs around $165 million (about P9.1 billion), according to estimates.
According to defense site Stars and Stripes, this is the first time that two of the gunships are seeing action in the Philippines during the Balikatan exercises. There was one AC130J during Balikatan in 2021.
“It’s the first time since the Vietnam era” that two gunships have been in the Philippines, Stars and Stripes quoted Capt. Nestor Soriano, a gunship pilot, as saying.
A total of 107 airmen from the 17th Special Operations Squadron in Cannon Air Force Base in New Mexico accompanied the two AC-130J gunships.
Over 17,600 Filipino and American soldiers are participating in this year’s Balikatan, the most ever in the military drills’ history. In addition, over 100 personnel from the Australian Defense Force are also part of the exercise this year.
On Sunday (April 23), participating battalions conducted air assault exercises at the Paredes Air Station in Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte.
"Participating troops also conducted defensive operations in the area during the exercise," Army spokesperson Col. Xerxes Trinidad said in a statement.
Around 81 personnel from the PA's 99th Infantry Battalion and their USARPAC counterparts conducted hot and cold load training aboard UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters as part of the exercise.
“Cold load training allows soldiers to load and unload the helicopter while it is not in operation,” Trinidad said. “In contrast to cold load, hot load training allows the troops to load and unload a fully functioning UH-60 Black Hawk with full combat gear.”
Balikatan is an annual exercise between Philippine and US militaries designed to strengthen interoperability, enhance capabilities, and deepen trust and cooperation built over decades of shared experiences.
