Phl, Aussie troops pause exercises

Philippine Army troops paused from joint maneuvers in Queensland on 26 July to participate in a field service officiated by an Australian Army chaplain.

Chaplain Gavin Keating of the Australian Army’s 1st Brigade led the service at the Townsville Field Training Area, aimed at building moral character and spiritual fitness among soldiers participating in Exercise Carabaroo 2026.

Australian chaplains, traditionally called “Padre” by soldiers, fill a role similar to the Philippine Army’s “Kapelyan” by offering spiritual support to military personnel and their families.

The spiritual service followed intensive combined tactical drills in which Philippine and Australian units carried out simulated assault operations.

Troops from the Philippine Army’s 1st Brigade Combat Team worked alongside the Darwin-based 5th/7th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, to assault and clear a mock enemy stronghold in a simulated urban village.

Military officials stressed that the training focused on urban operations to prepare forces for modern combat in populated areas.

Exercise Carabaroo represents the Philippine Army’s largest overseas training deployment for 2026.

The bilateral drills are held under Exercise Predator’s Run 2026, a broader multilateral training event that integrates US Marine Corps units under a unified command structure.

Military leaders said the joint exercise aims to enhance interoperability and strengthen strategic defense ties between ground forces in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region.