A ranking official of the United States Army visited the Philippines and paid a courtesy call to Gen. Andres Centino, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), on Monday, Feb. 21, to discuss the conduct of joint military exercises next month.
Centino hosted General Charles Flynn, the Commanding General of the United States Army Pacific (USARPAC), at the AFP Headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City to talk about the planned "SALAKNIB" exercises.
“The two military leaders discussed cooperation on capability development, joint training, and security matters of mutual concern,” said Col. Jorry Baclor, chief of the AFP public affairs office.
SALAKNIB, which means shield in Ilocano dialect, is an annual army-to-army bilateral training exercise to enhance the defense readiness and interoperability between PA and USARPAC. It is sponsored by the USARPAC and hosted by the PA.
This year’s SALAKNIB exercise will be held from March 5 to 24 in various areas in Central Luzon.
Flynn arrived at the Ages Aviation Center Hangar, Balagbag ramp of Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay City last Saturday.
Back in January, PA and USARPAC teams inspected the proposed training sites in Central Luzon to ensure their availability, suitability, and training-worthiness.
Among those expected to participate in the drills are members of the PA’s 1st Brigade Combat Team, Training and Doctrine Command, Army Support Command, 51st Engineer Brigade, Civil-Military Operations Regiment, Army Artillery Regiment, Aviation Regiment, Armor Division, Light Reaction Regiment, Special Forces regiment, and First Scout Ranger Regiment.
They will train side-by-side with their USARPAC counterparts.