Jamaine Punzalan

Article (news)

Bianca Dava

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:960px;display:block" width="960"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1786088786801viber_image_2026-08-06_23-29-26-894.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left"><em>Courtesy: Philippine Air Force</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA — A Philippine Air Force (PAF) fighter pilot has become the first Filipino to qualify as a force commander in Exercise Pitch Black, leading a force package of 40 fighter aircraft in one of the world&#x27;s most complex multinational air combat exercises.</p><p>Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said the milestone reflected the Philippines&#x27; growing capability to operate alongside advanced air forces and assume more demanding roles in multinational military operations.</p><p>&quot;We are very proud to have had the first Filipino fighter pilot to be qualified as a force commander, leading a force of 40 fighter aircraft,&quot; Teodoro said after the 3rd Philippines-Australia Defense Ministers&#x27; Meeting in Darwin on Friday.</p><p>He attributed the achievement to improvements made to the country&#x27;s current defense systems.</p><p>The identity of the pilot was withheld for operational security reasons.</p><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&amp;href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Freel%2F2279219289557608%2F&amp;show_text=false&amp;width=560&amp;t=0" width="560" height="314" style="border-width:medium;border-style:none;border-color:currentcolor;border-image:none;overflow:hidden;--darkreader-inline-border-top:0px;--darkreader-inline-border-right:0px;--darkreader-inline-border-bottom:0px;--darkreader-inline-border-left:0px" scrolling="no" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable" data-darkreader-inline-border-top="" data-darkreader-inline-border-right="" data-darkreader-inline-border-bottom="" data-darkreader-inline-border-left=""></iframe></span>The milestone comes as the PAF participates in the 2026 edition of Exercise Pitch Black, a Royal Australian Air Force-led exercise involving around 80 supersonic aircraft flying complex combat scenarios.</div><p>Teodoro, who observed a nighttime sortie at RAAF Base Darwin on Thursday, described the exercise as an &quot;eye-opening experience&quot; because of the level of coordination required among participating forces.</p><p>&quot;You have 80 supersonic aircraft in the air... in total darkness. For 90 minutes, each one engages very, very quickly in varied scenarios,&quot; he said, calling the exercise &quot;inspiring&quot; and &quot;humbling.&quot;</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/8/6/ph-air-force-showcases-upgraded-capabilities-in-exercise-pitch-black-2026-2355">PH Air Force showcases upgraded capabilities in Exercise Pitch Black 2026</a></div><p>The defense chief said the drills highlight that modern air operations rely on an entire network of personnel and systems, not just fighter aircraft.</p><p>&quot;It&#x27;s a whole ecosystem that needs to work together… not merely the participation of one, but the crucial participation of all, or else you have an accident or you have a fatality,&quot; he said.</p><p>Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles said the Philippine contingent made a significant contribution to the exercise.</p><p>Around 200 PAF pilots and support personnel joined the drills, which brought together roughly 2,500 personnel from 21 countries.</p><p>&quot;We couldn&#x27;t be more pleased with the way in which the Philippines have participated, but also more impressed with their ability and skill,&quot; Marles said.</p><p>This marks the Philippines&#x27; second active participation in Exercise Pitch Black after its first deployment in 2024. The country had previously joined earlier iterations of the exercise as an observer.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/8/7/ph-australia-eye-signing-of-defense-cooperation-arrangement-this-year-1513">PH, Australia eye signing of Defense Cooperation Arrangement this year</a></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FG9AFEtVay4?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>A Philippine Air Force (PAF) fighter pilot has become the first Filipino to qualify as a force commander in Exercise Pitch Black, leading a force package of 40 fighter aircraft in one of the world's most complex multinational air combat exercises.</p>

A Philippine Air Force (PAF) fighter pilot has become the first Filipino to qualify as a force commander in Exercise Pitch Black, leading a force package of 40 fighter aircraft in one of the world's most complex multinational air combat exercises.

Filipino pilot leads 40-aircraft force in Exercise Pitch Black

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Filipino pilot leads 40-aircraft force in Exercise Pitch Black

Bianca Dava,

ABS-CBN News

Published August 07, 2026 03:47 PM PHT

|

Updated August 07, 2026 08:59 PM PHT

Read More:

Philippine Air Force

Exercise Pitch Black

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