The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) formally opened the AFP Joint Exercise (AJEX) “DAGIT-PA” 2022 at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City on Monday, Nov. 7, which will be attended by more than 1,500 active and reserve military forces.
Lt. Gen. Bartolome Vicente Bacarro, AFP Chief of Staff, presided over the opening ceremony of the AJEX DAGIT-PA and underscored the importance of ensuring the interoperability of the major service units of the armed forces.
DAGIT PA, which stands for “dagat, langit, lupa” (sea, sky, land), is an AFP-wide exercise that integrates the operational capabilities of the Philippine Army (PA), Philippine Navy (PN), Philippine Air Force (PAF), and Special Operations Forces to make sure they can work together during at-sea, on air, and land missions.
“In light of the prevailing complexities of our domestic and global security environment, it is critical that we, in the AFP, continue to strengthen our joint operating concept,” Bacarro said.
The AFP Chief emphasized that the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Special Forces should continuously enhance their interoperability and cohesive employment of their various competencies especially during security operations, disaster response, and community development efforts.
This year’s iteration of AJEX DAGIT-PA will be held in the joint operational area of the Western Command (WESCOM) in Palawan until Nov. 18.
Brig. Gen. Marvin Licudine, commander of AFP Education Training and Doctrine Command (ETDC), will serve as the exercise director of DAGIT-PA.
Among the significant events that will take place in the AJEX DAGIT-PA include air defense/counter-air operations, maritime security operations, amphibious operations, combined arms live fire exercises, urban operations, and urban warfare.
Aside from personnel from the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Special Operations Command, the event will also be attended by personnel of the AFP Cyber Group and representatives from the provincial disaster risk reduction and management office of Palawan and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).
The drills will also be an avenue for the military to utilize some of their newest assets such as the Army’s C-206 aircraft and armored vehicles; Navy’s patrol ships, landing docks, naval helicopters, and fixed wing aircraft; Air Force’s FA-50PH fighter jets, A29B Super Tucano light attack aircraft, and C-130 transport aircraft; and Philippine Marine Corps’ (PMC) amphibious assault vehicles.