The Philippine government announced on Mar. 18 that it has given access of five airfields across the country to U.S. military forces.
CLARK AIR BASE, Philippines (April 9, 2015) – A U.S. Navy P-8A Poseidon with Patrol Squadron 45, is at Clark Air Base, Philippines in support of Exercise Balikatan 2015, April 9. Balikatan is an annual Philippines-U.S. military bilateral training exercise and humanitarian assistance engagement. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. j.g. Tony Montes/RELEASED)
The five locations are: Antonio Bautista Air Base, close to the contested Spratly Islands in the South China Sea, Basa Air Base north of Manila, Fort Magsaysay in Palayan, Lumbia Air Base in Mindanao and Mactan-Benito Ebuen Air Base in Cebu.
The deal was reached under the 2014 Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) and is valid for 10 years.