PH, US troops hone skills in 'Salaknib' military drill

FILIPINO and American troops engaged in a military exercise titled "Salaknib" in Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija. Salaknib, which in Ilocano means "shield," is composed of two parts: Phase 1 was scheduled from March 24 to April 11, and Phase 2 from May 19 to July 20. It includes communication and digital assets familiarization, field artillery live-fire training, medical evacuation (medevac) and logistics. "The said training simulated the integration of both forces to enhance the overall effectiveness of ground operations, providing critical fire support to infantry and ground units," Army spokesman Col. Louie Dema-ala said. "Both forces gained practical knowledge in medevac procedures, equipment handling and patient transport techniques designed for combined operations in austere environments," he added. The practice of sling load operations, Dema-ala said, provides rapid movement of heavy, outsized equipment or emergency supplies directly to forces on the ground by bypassing surface obstacles, allowing rapid relocation. On Monday, the Philippine and US air forces kicked off joint exercises to boost operational coordination and enhance "strategic deterrence." The drills follow months of confrontations between Beijing and Manila over disputed areas of the South China Sea, with significantly larger US-Philippine air, land and sea exercises set for late April. "Enhancing combat readiness and elevating joint mission effectiveness" would be central to the Cope Thunder exercise, Philippine Air Force commander Arthur Cordura said at a ceremony to launch the drills. Cope Thunder, which will continue through April 18, aims to enhance "asymmetric warfare capabilities," operational coordination and strategic deterrence, the Philippine Air Force said. WITH AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE