US and Philippines Conduct Joint Air Patrols Over Disputed South China Sea Shoal

The exercises mark a significant display of military cooperation as tensions with China over territorial claims continue to rise.

The United States and the Philippines conducted joint air patrols and training over the Scarborough Shoal, a contested area in the South China Sea, on Tuesday.
The patrols involved two U.S. Air Force B-1 bombers and three Philippine FA-50 fighter jets, focusing on operational coordination and air defense drills.
China's military has criticized the exercises, accusing the Philippines of undermining regional stability by collaborating with foreign forces.
The Philippine Navy reported monitoring three Chinese vessels, including a guided missile frigate, within its maritime zones during the exercises.
The Scarborough Shoal remains a flashpoint in the South China Sea, with overlapping claims from multiple nations and recent confrontations between Chinese and Philippine forces.