The United States Army sent its troops to Bulacan to train on special operations with their counterparts from the Philippine Army (PA).

Col. Xerxes Trinidad, PA spokesperson, said the PA and US Army kicked off Exercise SOCPAC Piston (ESP) 23-2 at Camp Tecson in San Miguel, Bulacan last Monday, March 6.

“The exercise is an annual bilateral training activity that focuses on cross-training and bolstering the interoperability of the Philippine Army Special Operations Forces and US Army SOCPAC,” Trinidad said on Wednesday, March 8.

Twenty-five personnel from the PA’s First Scout Ranger Regiment (FSSR) and US Army’s Special Operations Command Pacific (SOCPAC) participated in the joint training. The kickoff ceremony was by FSSR deputy regiment commander Col. Isagani Criste and US Army Captain Brandon Sourvayong.

Participants include troops from the PA’s 21^st Scout Ranger (SR) Company; SR School; Scout Sniper Platoon; and US Army’s Special Forces Operational Detachment Alpha 1316, Bravo Company, 1^st Battalion, and 1^stSpecial Forces Group (Airborne).

This year’s iteration of the exercise will focus on sniper operations and target interdiction in the jungle and urban environment, Trinidad explained. It is expected to conclude within this month.

Exercise SOCPAC Piston is formerly called the Exercise Balance Piston, a regular bilateral training exercise between the special operation forces of the Philippines and the United States. It started in the early 2000s.