WAR GAMES Philippine Navy personnel signal the successful transfer of the evacuee during the MEDEVAC/CASEVAC training aboard Philippine Navy vessel LD602 during Balikatan 39-24's Multilateral Maritime Exercise in the West Philippine Sea on April 26. WESCOM-AFP
Naval vessels in the multilateral maritime exercise on the second day of this year's Balikatan continue with division tactics (DIVTACS) which aim to refine deployment and coordination among the participants.
"This ongoing effort aims to bolster their combat readiness and operational effectiveness," Balikatan Combined Joint Information Bureau chief Lt. Col. John Paul Salgado said.
Naval vessels participating include the Philippine Navy's offshore patrol vessel BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PS-16), landing dock BRP Davao del Sur (LD-602), the USS Navy's landing ship dock USS Harpers Ferry (LSD-49) and French Navy's Floreal-class frigate, FS Vendémiaire (FFH-734).
Filipino and American troops will use several high-powered weapons systems in the counter-landing live-fire exercises at the La Paz Sand Dunes in Laoag, Ilocos Norte on May 6 as part of the Balikatan exercises.
"Counter-landing live-fire" refers to a military tactic aimed at preventing or repelling hostile forces from establishing themselves in the country's territory.
In an advisory, the Combined Joint Information Bureau Exercise "Balikatan" said the event would feature joint counter-landing fires.
The military assets to be used in the exercises include 105mm and 155mm howitzers from the Philippine Army and Marines, four tanks from the Armor Division, a fast attack craft from the Philippine Navy, .50 caliber platforms from the US Marine Corps along with their Javelin anti-tank missiles, and multi-role anti-armor anti-personnel weapons systems, and the US Air Force MQ-9 unmanned aerial vehicle and B-52 heavy bomber.
About 16,000 American and Filipino troops will participate in this year's Balikatan, which will run from April 22 to May 10.
More interoperability with Australian force
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is eyeing to further increase its interoperability with Australia's military following the visit of a ranking official of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) on Friday.
In a statement, Col. Xerxes Trinidad said ADF deputy chief of joint operations Rear Admiral Justin Garred Jones made a courtesy visit to acting AFP deputy chief of staff Lt. Gen. Steve Crespillo at the AFP headquarters in Quezon City.
In their meeting, Crespillo thanked Australia for promoting regional stability and security.
"We thank you for supporting us in promoting our maritime domain awareness and enhancing our presence in the South China Sea, considering it to be one of our national challenges. We seek to continuously strengthen our engagements and solidify our relations to provide a better Indo-Pacific Region,” he said.
The Philippines and Australia share a longstanding defense relationship.
In November last year, the two countries held the first bilateral maritime cooperative activity to enhance maritime domain awareness and regional security in the Philippines' exclusive economic zone.
In August, the AFP and the ADF held their first amphibious exercise in the city of Darwin under the Indo-Pacific Endeavor activities.
Lithuanian FM visits DND
Meanwhile, the Department of National Defense welcomed Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis who visited the DND on April 25.
Defense Undersecretary Angelito de Leon welcomed Landsbergis, who was the first Lithuanian foreign minister to visit the DND, Defense spokesperson Arsenio Andolong said.
"Highlighting the shared values and adherence to a rules-based international order of the two countries, Minister Landsbergis expressed Lithuania's shift in increasing its presence in the region, with the Philippines, as one of Lithuania's focal points of engagement," Andolong said.
Salgado said among the highlight was the cross deck-landing and simulated medical evacuation.
The BRP Davao del Sur conducted flight quarters operations and simultaneously performed simulated medical and casualty evacuation exercises.
"This was followed by a successful cross-deck landing with a French Navy FH160 helicopter, showcasing the interoperability between participating forces," Salgado said.
The drills started April 25 and will end on April 29. PNA
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