Healy, Romero discuss expanding US-PH reserve command training
COLORADO, United States — United States Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC) Commander Lt. Gen. John P. Healy, Chief of the Air Force Reserve, welcomed the first historic Philippine Air Force Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC) delegation inside a United States Space Force base installation.
There he met with former Philippine Deputy Speaker and now Col. Michael “Mikee” Romero, Wing Commander of the Tactical Operations Wing Reserve – Northern Luzon (TOWR–Northern Luzon) and Chairman of the Association of Reservists of the Philippines, Inc. (ARRAPI).
Romero, a three-term congressman who had served as Deputy Speaker of the Philippine House of Representatives, played a key role in supporting the Philippine Air Force modernization program, including the acquisition of three C-130J aircraft scheduled for delivery in 2026 and 2027.
READ: Ex-Deputy Speaker Mikee Romero meets US Joint Chiefs chair at NGAUS
His continued service in the Philippine Air Force Reserve reflects his longstanding commitment to strengthening the country’s air defense and reserve force capabilities.
The meeting between Lt. Gen. Healy and the Philippine Air Force AFRC delegation focused on expanding joint reserve trainings, professional military exchanges, and institutional collaboration between the United States Air Force Reserve Command and the Philippine Air Force Reserve Command.
Both sides emphasized the importance of enhancing interoperability, strengthening reserve readiness, and developing long-term cooperation between reserve components.
This valuable visit of a Philippine Air Force AFRC delegation inside a U.S. Space Force installation at Buckley Space Force Base was made possible through the leadership and vision of Philippine Air Force Commanding General Lt. Gen. Arthur Cordura. His initiative to send the Philippine Air Force Reserve delegation opened the door for strengthened collaboration and expanded bilateral reserve engagements.
During the talks, Lt. Gen. John P. Healy gave Col. Mikee Romero his personal AFRC Commander’s badge, with the exchange symbolizing the strong partnership between the United States and the Philippines. The gesture reflected mutual respect, trust, and a shared commitment to continued cooperation between the two allies.
The Philippine Air Force AFRC delegation also included Col. Floreto Solano, OIC Wing Commander of Tactical Operations Wing Reserve – Southern Luzon; and Lt. Col. Paulino Lomoljo of the Air Force Reserve Command Director for Personnel.
Both the U.S. Air Force Reserve Command and the Philippine Air Force Reserve Command reaffirmed their shared commitment to expanding joint trainings and strengthening reserve force capabilities. These efforts will focus on enhancing operational readiness, sharing best practices, and developing stronger institutional ties between reserve forces.
Building on this significant engagement, Philippine Air Force Reserve Command Commander Maj. Gen. Ronie Petinglay will continue bilateral coordination with his U.S. Air Force Reserve Command counterpart to implement expanded joint training programs and advance reserve force cooperation.
The visit inside Buckley Space Force Base reflects the enduring alliance between the United States and the Philippines and represents a significant step forward in expanding U.S.–Philippine Air Force Reserve Command partnership and joint training cooperation.
