The Phuket News Novosti Phuket Khao Phuket

Login | Create Account | Search


F-16s use Phuket airport as exercise base

PHUKET: Four F-16 fighters led a Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) exercise at Phuket International Airport yesterday (Apr 22) to showcase the RTAF’s “flexibility” in responding to emergency situations.

military
By The Phuket News

Wednesday 23 April 2025 10:53 AM


 

The exercise was to highlight the ability to operate from civilian airfields as part of a broader readiness strategy for 2025, the RTAF reported in a post online.

The exercise involved coordinated operations between the Air Force and airport authorities, focusing on takeoffs, landings and tactical air maneuvers in a civilian environment.

Aircraft participating in the drill included four F-16MLU fighter jets from Squadron 403, Wing 4; a C-130H transport aircraft from Squadron 601, Wing 6; and a DA-42MNG reconnaissance plane from Squadron 402.

Air Force officials said the operation was aimed at enhancing operational flexibility to enable the military to quickly adapt to a wide range of situations, from national defense to disaster relief and humanitarian missions.

The exercise was to highlight how the Air Force can “create advantages in various situations, whether in terms of using forces to defend the country, air transport and providing disaster relief to the people effectively”, the RTAF said in its post.