A Philippine air pressure fighter jet carrying two pilots went lacking throughout an evening fight assault in assist of floor forces who had been battling insurgents in a southern province, officers mentioned Tuesday.
The FA-50 jet misplaced communication in the course of the tactical mission round midnight on Monday earlier than reaching a goal space. A seek for the jet is underway.
“We’re hopeful of finding them and the plane quickly and ask you to hitch us in prayer throughout this important time,” Philippine air pressure spokesperson Col. Ma. Consuelo Castillo mentioned.
CHINESE NAVY HELICOPTER FLIES WITHIN 10 FEET OF PHILIPINNE PATROL PLANE OVER DISPUTED SHOAL
Two Philippine Air Drive FA-50 fighter jets fly throughout a joint patrol and coaching session with the U.S. over the South China Sea, Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025. (Philippine Air Drive by way of AP)
The opposite plane concerned within the mission returned safely to an air base in central Cebu province, the air pressure mentioned, with out providing additional particulars as a result of safety causes.
The incident occurred in a southern Philippine province throughout an anti-insurgency mission in opposition to communist guerrillas, a Philippine navy official advised The Related Press.
US FLIES JOINT PATROL WITH THE PHILIPPINES NEAR SHOAL REGION GUARDED BY CHINA
Two Philippine Air Drive FA-50 fighter jets fly with two U.S. Air Drive B-1 bomber plane throughout a joint patrol and coaching session over the South China Sea on Tuesday, Feb.4, 2025. (Philippine Air Drive by way of AP)
It was not instantly clear if the opposite FA-50s can be grounded after the incident.
The Philippines acquired 12 FA-50s multi-purpose fighter jets from South Korea’s Korea Aerospace Industries Ltd. for 18.9 billion pesos, or $331 million, starting in 2015. The acquisition was considered on the time as the largest deal beneath a navy modernization program that had been repeatedly stalled by a scarcity of funds.
A Philippine Air Drive FA-50, left, and U.S. Air Drive F-16 fighter jet, proper, fly in formation in the course of the US-Philippines joint air pressure navy train dubbed ‘Cope Thunder’ at Basa Air Base in Pampanga on April 11, 2024. (Getty Photographs)
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Along with anti-insurgency missions, the jets have been used for numerous different actions, together with main nationwide ceremonies and patrolling the disputed South China Sea.
The Related Press contributed to this report.
