AFP holds air defense exercise as part of AJEX DAGITPA

The Armed Forces of the Philippines seeks to enhance the joint asset operations of its major units in the Philippine Army, Philippine Navy, and Philippine Air Force.

Several AFP personnel from its major units have gone through an intensive Field Training Exercise 1—Joint Air Defense and Counter Air Operations from 9 to 10  November, which is aimed at strengthening the units' capabilities in joint air defense operations.

This is part of the ongoing AFP Joint Exercises Dagat-Langit-Lupa 07-23 which will run until 17 November.

PAF spokesperson Col. Consuelo Castillo said they have deployed PAF ground and air assets to join the drills, including 3 of its FA50s, an AS211, 2 of its A-29B Super Tucanos, a Spyder Philippine Air Defense System, 2 Radar Systems, and a standby Search and Rescue aircraft (Bell205A & S-76A).

"This robust combination of assets, together with highly competent operators, showcased the PAF's capabilities to contribute to joint operational effectiveness," she noted.

By engaging in such drills, Castillo said "the PAF and its counterparts from the Philippine Army and Philippine Navy sought to fortify the nation's territorial defense capabilities and resiliency in times of calamities and disasters."

They also target to boost their strategic goal of promoting as well as upholding peace and security not only within the Philippines but also across the Indo-Pacific region.