Manila, April 17 -- The Philippine Air Force (PAF) said the just-concluded Cope Thunder Philippines 25-1 (CT PH 25-1) with the United States Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) has laid the groundwork for multilateral cooperation.

The air exercises formally ended with a closing ceremony and hotwash session at Clark Air Base, Mabalacat City, Pampanga on Wednesday.

"The hotwash session served as a post-exercise review, enabling participants to analyze operational outcomes, share key lessons learned, and refine strategies for future joint exercises," PAF spokesperson Col. Ma. Consuelo Castillo said in a news release Wednesday night.

She also said CT PH 25-1, a preparatory exercise for the upcoming large-scale "Balikatan" Exercise, "laid a strong f...