US Military Aircraft Crashes Into Concrete Barrier During Exercise in Philippines, Five Personnel Injured
A US military aircraft struck a concrete barrier whilst attempting to take off from a road during an emergency exercise in the Philippines. Five US military personnel aboard the aircraft sustained injuries.
The incident involving the US military aircraft occurred on a concrete ring road in Laoac City, Pangasinan Province, Philippines, on the afternoon of 24 February 2026, according to reports cited by Associated Press on Wednesday, 25 February 2026.
According to reports from Philippine officials, a pilot and two US military personnel were transported to a local hospital for medical treatment. Two other US military personnel who also sustained injuries received medical treatment at the scene of the incident.
Three unnamed Philippine officials told Associated Press that the exercise involving a US Air Force transport aircraft had been planned and fully coordinated with Philippine civil authorities, police, and the military.
During the exercise, the US military transport aircraft conducted landings and take-offs from an “alternative landing zone”.
According to one Philippine official cited by Associated Press, the US military aircraft successfully executed a landing during “monitored activities”, but suddenly veered during take-off.
Such unique exercises are necessary to prepare military forces to handle all manner of emergency situations, including when conventional airports and runways are inaccessible during typhoons and earthquakes.
The exact cause of the incident remains unclear. Philippine authorities are conducting further investigation.
US forces are authorised to conduct exercises with their counterparts from the Philippines within Philippine territory, based on the 1999 Visiting Forces Agreement.
Large-scale joint military exercises in recent years have focused on helping the Philippines maintain its territorial interests and promote freedom of navigation and flight in the South China Sea, which lies to the west of Pangasinan.
Confrontations between the coast guard and naval forces from China and the Philippines have intensified in recent years in disputed waters, which are largely claimed by Beijing. Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan are also involved in the longstanding territorial standoff.
The United States has not put forward any claims to the disputed waters. However, Washington has repeatedly warned that it is obligated to defend the Philippines under their mutual defence treaty, should Manila’s forces, vessels, and aircraft come under armed attack, including in the South China Sea.