The US and Philippine air forces held a conference at JB Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, Aug. 29-31 to synchronize air power planning. Philippine Air Force Vice Commander Maj. Gen. Conrado Parra, Jr., a delegation of eight Filipino airmen, Pacific Air Forces Vice Commander Maj. Gen. Mark Dillon as well as 24 PACAF, Marine Forces Pacific, and Hawaii National Guard personnel took part in the fifth-annual talks, according to a PACAF release. US forces recently began deploying rotational air contingents to the Philippines in the wake of China’s military buildup in the South China Sea. “Our goal during these talks is to continue the momentum by strengthening and thickening the relationship between the two air forces by building on the successes of the past with a solid roadmap for the future,” Dillon said, according to the release. (See also: A Numbers Game.)
U.S. aircraft, drones, and attack helicopters have launched significant airstrikes in recent days against Islamic State militants in Syria as part of the renewed air campaign against remnants of the group, U.S. officials said.
