Army, Air Force begin joint exercise

Some 836 personnel from the Philippine Army and the Philippine Air Force will participate in a joint exercise that will enhance the interoperability, combat readiness, and effectiveness of the two service branches of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

The ceremonial opening was held Monday at the PA's 5th Infantry Division headquarters in Camp Melchor F Dela Cruz, Upi, Gamu, Isabela on Monday, 25 September.

5ID commander MGen. Audrey Pasia, who graced the event, reminded the soldiers "to give their best in the entirety of the exercise."

The PA and PAF personnel will train side-by-side from 25 to 30 September in this year's Interoperability Exercise.

PAF spokesperson Col. Consuelo Castillo said several drills will cover command post exercises, subject matter expert exchanges, and field training exercises.

The subject matter expert exchanges will cover a series of topics, including Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR), Air-to-Ground Operations, Close Air Support, Fast Rope Insertion Extraction System (FRIES) Military Free Fall, Hoist, Communication and Support System, and Sustainment Operations.

The Battle Staff Exercise will focus on problem-action scenarios, which will all be applied to the field training exercises, which will be done as a culmination activity.

During the drills, Castilo said that the PAF and PA personnel are expected to showcase their capabilities, strengthen working relations, as well as evaluate tactics, techniques, and procedures to improve air-to-ground communication and operations.