By Francis Wakefield
NAVAL STATION LEOVIGILDO GANTIOQUI, San Antonio, Zambales – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the United States Armed Forces successfully completed an amphibious landing exercise as part of the annual Balikatan (BK) Exercise held here on Wednesday morning.
Four US Marine Amphibious Assault Vehicles (AAV), belonging to 3rd Combat Support Company in Hawaii, carried a combined platoon of US and AFP Marines launched from the beach of San Antonio, Zambales out into the ocean, maneuvered around Philippine Navy’s LD602 (BRP Davao Del Sur) and landed to allow the combined Marines to assault onto the beach.
Filipino and American soldiers disembark from an amphibious landing craft on the shores of San Antonio, Zambales as part of the military activities that were held under the 18th Philippines-US Balikatan exercises Wednesday. (ALVIN KASIBAN / MANILA BULLETIN)
"Amphibious training is an important part of Balikatan Exercise as it enhances the capabilities of both the AFP and U.S. Armed Forces during operations from sea to land," said AFP Northern Luzon Command chief and Philippines-BK Exercise Director Lt. Gen. Emmanuel B. Salamat.
"One of the goals of this exercise is to improve rapid deployment and interoperability of forces during military operations in a hostile shore," he added.
Salamat said Amphibious landing exercises are conducted to allow military forces to practice transporting troops from ship to shore under hazardous circumstances – dangerous weather or even an aggressive enemy.
This year’s BK exercise is the 34th iteration of the bilateral exercise between the AFP and the United States Pacific Command (USPACOM) that started on 7 May 2018. It officially ends on 18 May 2018.
"Bilateral training increases our ability to respond quickly and work together effectively as a combined unit," said Marine Lt. Col. Daniel Gaskell, Battalion Commander for 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines in Camp Lejeune.
"By doing this landing as one team we are able to learn from our partners and function as a cohesive unit when responding to a real-world crisis. By training together now, we don't lose time when our nations need us the most," he added.
This landing, he said, represents the operational training in the exercise that allows the operational forces to see the results of strategic military planning while allowing them to hone their skills at the tactical level. AFP and U.S, Marines enhance their interoperability with this training by allowing themselves to work together and become familiar with each other’s tactics and procedures.
Filipino and American soldiers disembark from an amphibious landing craft on the shores of San Antonio, Zambales as part of the military activities that were held under the 18th Philippines-US Balikatan exercises Wednesday. (ALVIN KASIBAN / MANILA BULLETIN)
"Amphibious training is an important part of Balikatan Exercise as it enhances the capabilities of both the AFP and U.S. Armed Forces during operations from sea to land," said AFP Northern Luzon Command chief and Philippines-BK Exercise Director Lt. Gen. Emmanuel B. Salamat.
"One of the goals of this exercise is to improve rapid deployment and interoperability of forces during military operations in a hostile shore," he added.
Salamat said Amphibious landing exercises are conducted to allow military forces to practice transporting troops from ship to shore under hazardous circumstances – dangerous weather or even an aggressive enemy.
This year’s BK exercise is the 34th iteration of the bilateral exercise between the AFP and the United States Pacific Command (USPACOM) that started on 7 May 2018. It officially ends on 18 May 2018.
"Bilateral training increases our ability to respond quickly and work together effectively as a combined unit," said Marine Lt. Col. Daniel Gaskell, Battalion Commander for 2nd Battalion, 8th Marines in Camp Lejeune.
"By doing this landing as one team we are able to learn from our partners and function as a cohesive unit when responding to a real-world crisis. By training together now, we don't lose time when our nations need us the most," he added.
This landing, he said, represents the operational training in the exercise that allows the operational forces to see the results of strategic military planning while allowing them to hone their skills at the tactical level. AFP and U.S, Marines enhance their interoperability with this training by allowing themselves to work together and become familiar with each other’s tactics and procedures.