The units will play a vital role in the Army’s fight against terrorism and the communist insurgency. #ArmyAirDefense #ArmyAviationRegiment

Efforts by the Philippine Army (PA) to further strengthen its fight against terrorism and communist insurgency got a shot in the arm following the activation of its Aviation Regiment, Air Defense and Missile units in a joint ceremony held at Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija on Wednesday, 3 October 2019.

Army Chief Lt. Gen. Macairog S. Alberto led the activation and the assumption of command of the three units – the Aviation “Bagwis” Regiment (Provisional) or AvnR (P), 2nd Multiple Launch Rocket System Battery (2MLRS Btry) and 1st Land-based Missile System Battery (1LBMS Btry).

Lt. Col. Ramon P. Zagala, the Chief of the Army’s Public Affairs Office, said the AvnR (P) will be commanded by Col. Jesus Rico D. Atencio, the 2MLRS Btry by Maj. Junel D. Uden and the 1LBMS Btry by Maj. Edgardo B. Ocampo.

Zagala said the activation of the said units aims to strengthen the Army defense against current, emerging, and future threats.

“These units will play a vital role in the Army’s fight against terrorism and the communist insurgency,” Zagala said in an interview.

Zagala said the Army Aviation Battalion has been upgraded to the AvnR (P). It will be maintaining its current fleet of fixed-wing aircraft for special aviation mission while it develops its capabilities in armed reconnaissance, air assault and air medical evacuation by utilizing rotary wing aircraft.

He said this new unit enables the Army forces to be agile, lethal and versatile.

Lt. Gen. Alberto said the PA will soon be acquiring light attack helicopters, armed reconnaissance helicopters, and multi-purpose medium lift helicopters, to be able to defend the country from both external and internal threats.

“Through the upgraded Army Aviation Regiment as an integral component of our combined arms operations, our Army will have the capability to conduct a better array of aviation operations to support ground forces and be more responsive in the archipelagic setting in the defense posture,” Alberto said.

“On the other hand, the 2MLRS Btry and the 1LBMS Btry under the Army Artillery Regiment (AAR) will help augment the troop’s firepower in large scale armed confrontation for internal defense and security engagements,” he added.

Alberto, at the same time, said the activation of the two AAR regiment is in line with the Army’s development of its Air Defense units and Missile units.

He explained that the Air Defense units will protect the force against air threats while the Missile units aims to deny areas of enemy approach as well as suppress their air capabilities.

“We put primacy on the activation of these units in order to continuously enhance our aviation and air defense capability as we operate with the intent to be a modern and well-equipped Army, to address fast evolving threats and finish the insurgency at the soonest time possible,” Alberto said.

Zagala said although they have yet to acquire the assets for its missile and rocket units, the most important thing is they are planning ahead.

“The multiple launch rocket systems is in the pipeline. If I’m not mistaken sa South Korea natin bibilhin ‘yan [we wi buy that in South Korea],” he said.

Zagala said the land-based missile system is still in the planning stages.

“But talagang kukuha tayo nyan. On where kukuha wala pa {We will buy that. On where we will buy, none yet],” he said.

With regards to the batteries it is planning to acquire from South Korea, Zagala said he has yet to determine how many batteries they are planning to acquire.

“Meron tayong kukunin dun [We will get something there].One battery, ang isang battery kasi is like a company ano, that’s about, six launchers at the minimum. But I’ll get back on the precise number,” Zagala said.