MILITARY training exercises meant to enhance the interoperability of Army, Navy and Air Force personnel are set to start today, with the formal opening to be held at the AFP general headquarters at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.
DAGITPA (Dagat, Langit at Lupa), which will involve some 1,500 troops, is the sixth iteration of the annual exercise. It will run until November 18 and will be conducted mainly in the area of operation of the AFP Western Command (Wescom) in Palawan.
“The exercise will focus on territorial defense, maritime security, and counter-terrorism which require interoperability of different units and assets. The different scenarios were designed to be as realistic as possible,” the military said in an information guide.
Some of major training activities that will be conducted are air defense/counter air operations, maritime security operations, amphibious operations, urban warfare operations, and intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance.
The military said the exercises seek to enhance the capability of the Army, Navy and Air Force “across a wide range of military operations.”
“These include responding to the threat of terrorism and improving faster maritime security response in support of law enforcement,” the military said.
“This exercise is based on a fictional scenario and not related to any current situation and is not directed at any country. The goal is to improve the interoperability and proficiency of our forces in addressing various threats,” the AFP also said.
Various military assets will participate in the exercises, including BRP Antonio Luna (FF 151) which is one of the Navy’s guided missile frigates capable of conducting anti-surface, anti-submarine and anti-air warfare.
BRP Antonio Luna arrived in Puerto Princesa City in Palawan last October.
“Western Command welcomes FF 151 back to Palawan. Her presence in our joint operations area bespeaks of the growing capability of a modern navy which can be better enhanced through joint exercises with our Air Force and Army comrades,” said Wescom commander Vice Adm. Alberto Carlos.
