The second detachment to the Philippines wrapped up its deployment after 15 days of training missions and patrols of the South China Sea. The detachment of Navy EA-18G Growlers from the Electronic Attack Squadron 138 spent 15 days at Clark Air Base in the Philippines training with host country forces before redeploying to Misawa AB, Japan. The detachment was the second of a new rotation to the Philippines, replacing Air Force A-10s and other aircraft that deployed to Clark earlier this year. US officials have said a contingent will consistently rotate to the Philippines, including future deployments of advanced fighter aircraft.
The new defense reconciliation bill includes $7.2 billion for Air Force and Navy aviation accounts, almost half of which will buy more F-15EXs. While electronic warfare, drones, connectivity and airlift all get attention, the F-35 was conspicuously absent from the package, with no explanation given.