The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) carried out a field training exercise (FTX) with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) to develop their maritime cooperation and preparedness as part of the ongoing AFP Joint Exercise (AJEX) DAGIT-PA.
Philippine Navy (PN) ships BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PS16) and BRP Nestor Reinoso (PC380) sailed together with PCG vessel BRP Malapascua (MRRV-4403) off Ilocos Norte on Saturday, Nov. 11, while PN aircraft NV320 Islander flew over them to monitor their movements during the training.
The AFP and PCG assets conducted joint high-risk visit, board, search and seizure operations while other simulated scenarios designed to evaluate coordination of participating units were also incorporated.
It also featured the active participation of the Special Operations Group from the PN and PCG Command in the Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM) area of responsibility.
"The activity demonstrated seamless collaboration between the Philippine Navy and the Philippine Coast Guard while showcasing the capabilities of military and coast guard assets," Col. Xerxes Trinidad, chief of AFP public affairs office, said on Sunday, Nov. 12.
The exercises on maritime security preparedness will conclude on Nov. 16 in NOLCOM.
Black Hawks in action
Meanwhile, two Black Hawk helicopters were deployed by the Philippine Air Force (PAF) to provide tactical airlift support for a military free fall simulation during a separate FTX of AJEX DAGIT-PA at Culili Point, Paoay, Ilocos Norte.
Col. Ma Consuelo Castillo, PAF spokesperson, said the participants in the exercise include aircrew from the PAF’s 205th Tactical Helicopter Wing; and para-jumpers from the Philippine Army’s Light Reaction Regiment, Special Forces Regiment (Airborne), First Scout Ranger Regiment, and the Philippine Navy’s Force Reconnaissance Group.
"This military free fall exercise demonstrated the interoperability of different branches of the armed forces and enhanced their capabilities in executing precise and accurate paradrops, which can be invaluable during actual missions," she said.
Paradrop operation is conducted by paratroopers as they jump out of aircraft and use parachutes to land safely on the ground, making it one of the three types of "forced entry" strategic techniques for entering a theater of war aside from land and water entry.
Further, the PAF utilized three FA50s light combat aircraft, one SIAI-Marchetti S.211 trainer aircraft, two A-29B Super Tucano light attack aircraft, one Spyder Philippine Air Defense System (SPADS), two radar systems, and a standby Bell 205A and S-76A search and rescue aircraft for a joint air defense and counter air operation training with the Philippine Army (PA) and Philippine Navy (PN).
"This robust combination of assets, together with highly competent operators, showcased the PAF's capabilities to contribute to joint operational effectiveness," Castillo said.
By engaging in these exercises, Castillo stressed that the PAF and its counterparts from the Army and Navy sought to fortify the nation's territorial defense capabilities and resiliency in times of calamities and disasters "with the overarching strategic goal of promoting and upholding peace and security not only within the country but also across the region."
Army, Marines simulate joint combat occupation
In Burgos, Ilocos Norte, Army and Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) personnel conducted an "occupation for battle position" exercise to enhance their interoperability in securing battle positions during a military operation.
A battle position is a defensive location oriented on a likely enemy avenue of approach. Securing a good battle position provides advantage for troops to defeat the enemies.
Maj. John Rey Acasio served as the lead planner for the Army Forces contingent and led the final briefing to the training audience for the joint littoral live fire exercise. while Lt. Col. Jessie James Tuguic was the commander of the battalion task force for the Army forces during the DAGIT-PA activity.
The AFP Joint Exercises "Dagat-Langit-Lupa" (AJEX DAGITPA) is an exercise involving personnel of the Army, Navy, and Air Force which aims to fortify the major services' territorial defense posture, sharpen their external security capabilities, and respond to emerging threats with unparalleled precision.
More than 1,500 active and reserve personnel from the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines, Special Operations Command, and Cyber Group are participating in the exercise which runs from Nov. 6 to 17.