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From land to the sky: Army holds aerial patrol in PH sea and what it means for AFP
From land to the sky: Army holds aerial patrol in PH sea and what it means for AFP
Previously known primarily for ground operations, the Philippine Army (PA) has expanded its capabilities and is now able to conduct aerial patrols within the country’s airspace—marking a significant development for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
The Army’s Aviation Regiment or “Hiraya” successfully executed a maritime air patrol (MARPAT) last June 11 using a twin-engined Cessna 421B aircraft over the archipelagic and territorial seas of Aurora, Isabela, and Cagayan provinces, as well as the Philippine Rise in the eastern seaboard.
The mission was conducted by the Army a day before the country celebrated the 127th Philippine Independence Day.
“The MARPAT mission flown by the Aviation Regiment is in accordance with the Army’s Land Defense Concept and aligned with the strategy of the Department of National Defense on Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept (CADC),” the Aviation Regiment told the Manila Bulletin on Friday, June 13.
The Land Defense Concept, a core component of the CADC which aims to protect the Philippines as a multi-island nation, strengthens the Army’s role in national defense by integrating modern capabilities and rapid deployment especially in strategic areas like the West Philippine Sea (WPS).
The Aviation Regiment, the aviation unit of the Army, stated that the mission highlighted the Army’s ability to interoperate with the Philippine Air Force and the Philippine Navy.
The ability to conduct airspace patrols allows the Army to quickly respond to urgent missions across the country without needing to depend on the Navy or Air Force for transport.
Lt. Gen. Roy Galido, PA commanding general, said this capability allows the Army to be deployed even to the WPS to support and reinforce naval forces in contested areas.
“I'm just waiting for them to call in the Army,” Galido said. “The Army is ready.”
“Based on our Katihan exercises, the Army right now is highly mobile and very agile. We can be lifted up a thousand-size, a 500-man unit. They know this. We lift it any time. And it can be brought to any place in our country,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Army showcased its contributions to nation-building and its defense capabilities in a static and kinetic display as part of the Independence Day celebration at the Luneta Park in Manila.
The exhibit highlighted the various functions and specialized equipment from the Army Support Command, First Scout Ranger Regiment, Special Forces Regiment (Airborne), Signal Regiment, Combat Engineer Regiment, Civil-Military Operations Regiment, the K-9 Battalion of the Intelligence Regiment as well as reserve units from the Reserve Command.
Simultaneous flag-raising ceremonies were also held at Fort Bonifacio in Taguig City and other Army camps across the country on June 12 to mark the Independence Day celebration.