3 September 2025
The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) has taken air combat capability to the next level, deploying EA-18G Growlers and F/A-18F Super Hornets to the Philippines for the first time as part of Exercise Alon 2025.
Based at Clark Air Base on Luzon, the combat aircraft and aviators operated alongside Philippine Air Force FA-50PH fighter jets in complex air combat training serials.
Deploying advanced fighter and electronic warfare aircraft into the Philippines required the coordinated effort of more than 120 personnel across the Air Task Group (ATG) in close cooperation with the Philippine Air Force.
The deployment demonstrates Australia’s ability not only to operate its fast jets from home soil, but to project capability at pace into the region.
Commander ATG Wing Commander Sal said the achievement highlighted Australia’s ability to deliver decisive effects abroad.
“Getting the Growlers and the Super Hornets here took a lot of effort from everybody,” Wing Commander Sal said.
“We’ve proven that we can rapidly mobilise, integrate and generate combat air power in an overseas location, and do it well.”
Exercise Alon provided a platform for Australia and the Philippines to strengthen defence ties and build real-world interoperability across multiple domains.
'Australia and the Philippines have long shared a united stance on freedom of manoeuvre and regional security. Working together here reinforces our commitment to that.'
As part of the exercise, RAAF Growlers and Super Hornets flew dissimilar air combat tactics (DACT) and basic flight manoeuvres (BFM) with the Philippine Air Force, while RAAF P-8A Poseidons, KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transports, C-17A Globemasters and C-130J Hercules supported joint maritime, airlift and refuelling missions.
The exercise also enabled the Philippine Air Force to demonstrate its expanding capabilities with A-29B Super Tucanos, T-129 ATAK and AW-109 attack helicopters, Black Hawk utility helicopters and SOKOL multipurpose helicopters.
Commander ATG emphasised the importance of training together to continue to build on these close working relationships.
“Australia and the Philippines have long shared a united stance on freedom of manoeuvre and regional security,” Wing Commander Sal said.
“Working together here reinforces our commitment to that.
“Having Australian and Philippine aircrews working side by side in Philippine skies is more than training, it shows we can operate together, can respond together and we will stand together to protect regional security.”
Exercise Alon ran from August 15 to 29 as a tangible demonstration of Australia’s enduring commitment to the rules-based global order and to the sovereignty and security of its regional partners.
It is the largest overseas military exercise for Australia in 2025 with more than 3600 personnel participating from the ADF and the Armed Forces of the Philippines, as well as elements of the Royal Canadian Navy and the United States Marine Corps, Marine Rotation Force – Darwin.
