NextGen Day

MANILA, Philippines – Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Gen. Andres Centino said Thursday’s combined arms live-fire exercises (CALFEX) by “Balikatan” troops will considerably increase interoperability between Filipino and American forces.

“The CALFEX was carried out to increase our interoperability during combined and joint operations.” This is one method to make sure we can work together with our allies. This also provides an opportunity for us to test our new weapons and armaments as we procure new equipment,” he added in a statement Thursday night.

According to AFP public affairs office commander Col. Jorry Baclor, this year’s CALFEX was hosted at the Col. Ernesto Ravina Air Base (CERAB) in Capas, Tarlac.

Centino was present at the Durungawan View Deck in CERAB when the incident occurred.

Lt. Gen. Ernesto Torres Jr., the head of the Northern Luzon Command, and Maj. Gen. Charlton Sean Gaerlan, the Philippine exercise director, were also present.

Col. Joshua Bookout, commander of the 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, and Col. Jeffrey Vanantwerp, deputy commander for operations of the 25th Infantry Division, were also present.

The CALFEX, according to Baclor, is one of the activities included in the “Balikatan” Joint Interoperability Exercise, which aims to improve joint and combined interoperability as well as partner capacity during a crisis.

This year’s “Balikatan” exercises, which run from March 28 to April 8, included the CALFEX as one of the highlights.

“To seize an enemy objective, the complex live-fire event was accomplished using ground maneuver, artillery, mortars, and air assets. Supporting air and ground combat groups collaborated to give indirect and suppressive fire so that the main ground combat element could advance and eliminate the fictitious enemy “Baclor said.

The Philippine Army’s 1st Brigade Combat Team armored personnel carriers equipped with remote control weapons systems and 105mm howitzers, as well as the Philippine Air Force Super’s freshly acquired Embraer A-29B “Super Tucano” strike aircraft, were among the units and equipment used.

While infantry brigade combat teams, a field artillery battalion with howitzers and mortars, an engineering battalion, and the US Army’s high-mobility artillery rocket system were deployed by the US Armed Forces.

“500 combined Philippine and US Army, Marine Corps, and Air Force service members engaged in the Combined Army Forces (CARFOR)-led training,” Baclor added.

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