Filipino pilot takes command of multinational strike package at Exercise Pitch Black

Filipino pilot takes command of multinational strike package at Exercise Pitch Black A voice crackles over the tactical frequency. In a firm, commanding tone, the voice issues instructions to around 20 aircraft from five countries that make up a multinational strike package. Nearly 40 other military aircraft are also operating in the area, making it a rare Large Force Employment mission involving a variety of air assets from 21 countries. But amid the dozens of voices and aircraft filling the skies over Darwin, one voice stands out. It carries a distinct Filipino accent. The voice belongs to a Philippine Air Force major, the commander of the strike package. This is Exercise Pitch Black 2026 in Darwin, Australia. And for the first time, a Filipino pilot flying one of the smallest fighter jets in the exercise, the FA-50PH Fighting Eagle, has been designated as a strike package commander. The mission was a success. On the final night of the exercise, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. personally congratulated the pilot and presented him with an award for being the first Filipino to be given a functional team lead role in one of the world’s largest multinational air combat exercises. Meeting his Australian counterpart the following day, Teodoro could hardly contain his pride over the achievement. “We are also very proud to have had the first Filipino fighter pilot to be qualified as a force commander leading a force of 40 fighter aircraft, and thanks to the enhancements we have made to our current systems, this has enabled us to take such a role.” Lieutenant Colonel Mario C. Mendoza, callsign "Astroboy. RAFFY TIMA/GMA News Upgrades The enhancements referred to by Teodoro are capability upgrades to the South Korean-made FA-50s, including the integration of the Link 16 tactical data link, avionics refinements and expanded precision weapons capabilities. These improvements give the light multi-role fighter secure, real-time tactical data-sharing capabilities with allied command networks and other aircraft. The FA-50s, some veterans of the Marawi siege, have also received weapons and systems upgrades from their Korean manufacturer, Korea Aerospace Industries, allowing the Philippine Fighting Eagles to employ advanced precision-guided weapons such as the AGM-65 Maverick air-to-ground missile and AIM-9X Sidewinder air-to-air heatseeking missile. Lieutenant Colonel Mario C. Mendoza, an FA-50 pilot participating in his second Pitch Black exercise, said the upgrades have expanded the missions the Philippine jets can perform. “Ngayon, they are also being used sa defensive counter-air which is protecting a certain area in the airspace from air threats, na dati hindi po ganun kasi bago pa lang tayo. Ang tingin nila, ang capabilities natin ay limited pero with these, nakita nila na kaya nating makipagsabayan with the upgrades na nakuha ng ating FA-50 from 2024 to 2026,” said Mendoza, whose callsign is "Astroboy". (Now, [our fighters] are also being used for defensive counter-air missions which is protecting a certain area in the airspace from air threats, it did not used to be that way because we were new. [Our allies] thought we have limited capabilities but with these, they saw we can keep up with the upgrades our FA-50 received from 2024 to 2026.) And what are aerial military exercises without dogfights or air-to-air combat? For Major Jul Laiza Camposano-Beran, the experience was both frightening and invaluable. Going by the callsign “Blossom,” Beran is the Philippines’ first female fighter jet pilot and one of the few women fighter pilots participating in this year’s Pitch Black exercise. It was her first time going up against foreign adversaries in a multinational air combat exercise, pushing her skills and training to the limit. “Pagdating sa taas, yung rush up ng emotions, ng adrenaline, kung paano ka like, takasan pag na-lock ka ng kalaban, paano ka iiwas dun, paano maka-survive, paano mapapahaba at least yung span of time na yun na hindi ka naman agad-agad mamatay, at least nahirapan siya.” (Up in the air, there is a rush of emotions and adrenaline, like during how you escape from being locked on by the enemy, how do you avoid that, how to survive, how do you prolong at least the span of time you don’t get shot down, at least make it hard for them.) But it was not only the simulated combat that tested her. The darkness over Darwin proved to be another challenge. The sparse population around the exercise area means there is very little light pollution, making the night sky exceptionally dark, living up to the name of the exercise. Without the aircraft’s instruments and in near zero visibility, a pilot could easily lose orientation, a dangerous situation when flying alongside other aircraft at high speeds and in close proximity. Beran admitted that, given the choice, she would rather not fly at night in Darwin again. Teodoro personally witnessed the complexity of night flight operations, watching four Philippine Air Force FA-50s take off into the evening sky as part of a night mission involving dozens of fighter jets. Against the dark Darwin sky, the afterburners of the fighters glowed as the aircraft sped towards their targets. Major Jul Laiza Camposano-Beran, callsign "Blossom". RAFFY TIMA/GMA News Stronger Down Under For the men and women of the Philippine contingent, it was the culmination of nearly a month of training. All four Philippine FA-50s participating in the exercise achieved a 100% operational readiness rate earning a commendation from the defense secretary for their performance. Speaking to the Philippine contingent during the closing of the exercise, Teodoro reminded the troops of what their performance meant to the country. “Dito nakikilala ng mundo na palakas ng palakas tayo, na hindi na tayo puwedeng biruin.” (This is how the world knows we are getting stronger, that we are not to be taken lightly.) The Philippine participation in Pitch Black was not limited to the Air Force. Philippine Navy and Army personnel also took part in various training activities in Australia, reflecting the increasingly broad defense relationship between Manila and Canberra. Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles said the cooperation between the two countries is expected to grow even further. “Across the three domains we’ve seen a very significant presence of the armed forces of the Philippines here in Australia and next year, we will be in the Philippines participating in Exercise Alon 2027. It will be the largest exercise that Australia will undertake outside of our country next year.” The two countries are also expected to finalize a defense cooperation arrangement before the end of the year. Marles reiterated Australia’s support for the Philippines and its position based on international law. “We very much stand with the Philippines in the assertion of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and international law in those bodies of water.” Teodoro, meanwhile, emphasized the broader strategic importance of the relationship. “The security of the Philippines is vital to Australia and likewise. We must also remember that these defense arrangements are foundational to provide sustainability in all other arrangements, whether economic, trade and otherwise, and all important security.” “Rockstars” The Philippines sent only four fighter aircraft to Pitch Black, but its overall contingent numbered 166 personnel, including pilots, maintenance crews and support staff. It was only the second time Philippine aircraft had participated in the exercise’s 45-year history, after years of being limited as an observer. In the 2024 edition, Australian officials dubbed the Filipino contingent “rockstars.” Two years later, the Philippine Air Force returned not merely to participate, but to take on greater responsibilities. From flying alongside some of the world’s most advanced air forces to conducting air-to-air combat and defensive counter-air missions—and, for the first time, having a Filipino pilot command a multinational strike package—the Philippine contingent left Darwin with something more than experience. It left with a demonstration of what a relatively small air force can do when given the opportunity to train, operate and lead alongside some of the world’s most capable militaries. —RF, GMA News