SOME 3,000 American and Filipino soldiers have begun a military exercise in various areas in Central Luzon aimed at further improving interoperability in addressing various threats.
The annual exercise between the US Army Pacific (USARPAC) and Philippine Army (PA), dubbed Salaknib Exercise, opened with rites in Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija on Saturday and will run until March 24.
“Salaknib demonstrates the long-standing partnership between PA and USARPAC,” said Maj. Gen. Matthew McFarlane, USARPAC deputy commander who graced the ceremony.
Army spokesman Col. Xerces Trinidad said 2,000 US and 1,000 Filipino soldiers will take part in the exercise which “seeks to enhance defense readiness and interoperability between the two armies.”
Trinidad said this year’s Salaknib exercise will focus on “capability development” of the 1st Brigade Combat Team (BCT), the Philippine Army’s primary combined arms and rapid deployment unit.
Taking part on the Philippine Army side are troops from the 1st BCT, Army Training and Doctrine Command, Army Support Command, 51st Engineering Brigade, Civil Military Operations Regiment, Army Artillery Regiment, Army Aviation Regiment, Armor Division, Light Reaction Regiment, Special Forces Regiment-Airborne, and First Scout Ranger Regiment.
On the US side are troops from the 25th Infantry Division, 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, 25th Division Sustainment Brigade, 17th Field Artillery Brigade, the 5th Security Force Assistance Brigade, 413th Contracting Command, and130th Engineer Brigade, among others.
USARPAC said the two armies will be involved in a range of field training and live exercises, and will exchange best practices in the areas of fire support, communications, engineering, counter-improvised explosive devices and military intelligence.
“The United States just published an Indo-Pacific strategy… Two key aspects of that strategy are to build connections in the region and to bolster security in pursuit of a free and open Pacific. This exercise is a demonstration not only to each other, but to all those around the world with inclinations of not abiding by a free and open Pacific,” added McFarlane.
