American and Philippine warplanes flew together in a coordinated patrol and drill above the South China Sea, in the allies’ first joint maneuvers over contested waters since U.S. President Donald Trump returned to office, Filipino officials said.

The air forces of the Philippines and the United States were holding joint patrols over the South China Sea on Tuesday, a spokesperson for the Philippine Air Force said. The one-day exercise was being carried out in the West Philippine Sea,

The Philippines and the U.S. held joint air patrols over the South China Sea amid tensions with China. This exercise included Philippine fighter jets and U.S. bombers, focusing on aviation presence around the disputed Scarborough Shoal in response to Chinese naval activity in Manila’s maritime zones.