Army, Air Force conclude interoperability exercise
The Philippine Army (PA) and Philippine Air Force (PAF) further enhanced their capability to conduct air-to-ground communication to effectively carry out military operations as they concluded a five-day interoperability exercise over the weekend.
A total of 836 army and air force personnel attended the PA-PAF Interoperability Exercise (IOX) 02-2023 which ended on Sept. 30 at the headquarters of the 5th Infantry Division (5ID) at Camp Melchor Dela Cruz in Gamu, Isabela.
Brig. Gen. Rocky Binag, commander of Tactical Operations Wing (TOW) Northern Luzon, graced the closing ceremony of IOX and emphasized that the exercise has enriched both the PAF and PA with "invaluable lessons" and "strong camaraderie" among its troops, especially towards integrating and synchronizing their operations.
"The IOX 02-2023 enhanced the PA and PAF's interoperability, combat readiness, and effectiveness to showcase their capabilities, strengthen working relations, and evaluate tactics, techniques, and procedures to improve air-to-ground communication and operations," Col. Xerxes Trinidad, PA spokesperson, said.
The IOX trained the participants on command post exercises, field training exercises, and subject matter expert exchanges (SMEEs).
The traning covered a wwide array of topics such as intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR) operation; air-to-ground missions; close air support; Fast Rope Insertion Extraction System (FRIES); military free fall; hoist, communication and support system; and sustainment operations.
"This newfound synergy promises to pave the way for more efficient and coordinated joint operations, bolstering the nation's defense and security efforts," Col. Ma. Consuelo Castillo, PAF spokesperson, said.
The IOX was launched on Sept. 25.