U.S. Military Plane Hits Road Barrier During Philippine Training, Injuring Five

A U.S. military transport plane carrying five American personnel hit a concrete barrier while attempting to take off from a road during a contingency training exercise in Laoac town, Pangasinan Province, Philippines, on February 24, 2026. Three personnel, including the pilot, were hospitalized, while two others received treatment on site. The training, coordinated with Philippine authorities, involved using an alternate landing zone to prepare for scenarios where regular airports are inaccessible. The cause of the accident is under investigation.