THE Air Force’s FA-50 fighter jets will take part in this year’s DAGATPA (Dagat, Langit at Lupa) training exercise which formally commenced yesterday.
AFP public affairs office chief Col. Jorry Baclor said A-29B Super Tucano light attack aircraft and C-130 transport aircraft of the Air Force will also be playing key roles in the 12-day exercise.
The FA-50s are the primary aircraft of the Air Force in responding to external threats. The military acquired 12 FA-50 aircraft a few years ago under the AFP modernization program.
The Air Force has six A-29B Super Tucano aircraft, also acquired under the AFP modernization program, which are used in the conduct of strike missions.
The military earlier announced that BRP Antonio Luna (FF 151) — one of the Navy’s guided missile frigates capable of conducting anti-surface, anti-submarine and anti-air warfare — will also be taking part in the exercise.
Baclor said the other military assets involved in the exercise are the new C-206 aircraft and armored vehicles of the Army; a patrol ship, a landing dock, naval helicopters, and fixed-wing aircraft of the Navy; and amphibious assault vehicles of the Philippine Marine, a unit under under the Navy.
AFP chief Lt. Gen. Bartolome Bacarro led the opening of the sixth iteration of annual DAGATPA exercise at the AFP general headquarters at Camp Aguinaldo yesterday.
“In light of the prevailing complexities of our domestic and global security environment, it is critical that we, in the AFP, continue to strengthen our joint operating concept through the enhanced interoperability and cohesive employment of our various competencies in the conduct of a wide spectrum of security operations, disaster response, and community development efforts,” said Bacarro.
The exercises, which will be participated by 1,500 personnel, will be conducted mainly in Palawan, home to the military’s Western Command (Wescom).
The major training events include air defense/counter-air operations, maritime security operations, amphibious operations, combined arms live fire exercises, urban operations, and urban warfare.
Wescom commander Vice Adm. Alberto Carlos said DAGATPA “will enhance Wescom’s capacity and capability in addressing crisis situation in its joint operations area, and be able to operate with other units as one AFP.”
“Equally important in this year’s exercise is the strengthening of the active participation of other government agencies as we pursue the whole-of-nation approach in addressing all levels of internal and external threats to national security,” added Carlos.
