CLARK AIR BASE, Philippines — U.S. Air Force and Philippine Air Force pararescuemen conducted a combat search and rescue (CSAR) training mission at Clark Air Base, Philippines, during Exercise Balikatan, April 2, 2019.

"I wanted to learn about other units’ capabilities and the distinction between our units and theirs," said Philippine Air Force 1st Lt. Anthony Feril, a UH-1 Huey co-pilot assigned to the 505th Search and Rescue Group. "I was able to see how the 31st Rescue Squadron (RQS) performs a CSAR whereas we just function as a non-combatant rescue team."

Both units practiced utilizing their equipment to locate and safely rescue a simulated downed Airman to better enhance their CSAR capabilities should a real-world incident occur.

"It was a successful mission," said U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Codie, a pararescueman assigned to the 31st RQS out of Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan. "The flight was great and we didn't have any complications with executing the ground rescue mission."

Feril stated he appreciates the opportunities to work side-by-side with the U.S. Air Force, ensuring both nations perform optimally for future combined missions.

The U.S. is proud to participate in this Philippine-led exercise in order to conduct capabilities development training that enhances our forces’ tactics, techniques, and procedures across a wide range of military operations.

Photo Caption: A U.S. Air Force HH-60G Pave Hawk, left, and a Philippine Air Force UH-1 Huey prepare for take off to complete a combat search and rescue training mission during Exercise Balikatan at Clark Air Base, Philippines, April 2, 2019. Balikatan is an annual exercise between the U.S. and the Philippines and comes from a Tagalog phrase meaning "shoulder-to-shoulder," representing the partnership between the two countries. The exercise helps maintain a high level of readiness and responsiveness, and it enhances combined military-to-military relations and capabilities. The PAF servicemembers are with the 505th Search and Rescue Group.