PA showcases capabilities during AFP Thanksgiving Day

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 19): PA showcases capabilities during AFP Thanksgiving Day

As the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) celebrated its Thanksgiving Day, the Philippine Army displayed its newly-acquired weapon systems and equipment to the public on Thursday.

This includes the Army's unmanned aerial system (UAS), GARMIN global positioning system (GPS), and the 100mm mortar.

The UAS provides real-time imagery intelligence and video feed from a particular area with a range of three to seven kilometers and can be extended up to 50 kilometers.

It complements the existing human intelligence/signals intelligence capability of the Army which is used in surveillance operations and also in humanitarian assistance and disaster response (HADR).

The UAS had been instrumental in the successful conduct of operations during the so-called Zamboanga City siege last September that led to the surrender and arrest of several Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) rebels under Nur Misuari.

The Garmin GPS and the 100mm mortar have also been very useful in the conduct of the Army’s varied and valuable missions.

A photo exhibit has also been set up at the AFP Commissioned Officers’ Club at Camp Aguinaldo, showing the Army soldiers in action.

This includes the combat operations in Zamboanga City; the HADR operations in Central Luzon during typhoon "Santi," the 7.2-magnitude earthquake in Bohol, and the onslaught of super typhoon "Yolanda" in the Visayas last Nov. 8.

Each of the major services also put up booths wherein demo videos are shown and informational materials such as flyers are distributed.

The celebration started with an interfaith prayer, followed by the blessing of the new Philippine Navy helicopters, recognition of stakeholders, and a song rendition by OPM artists.

With this year’s anniversary theme, “Tagumpay Noon, Bayanihan Ngayon, Karangalan Nating Lahat Bukas,” the AFP has lined up several activities to commemorate its 78th founding anniversary.

On Dec. 20, simultaneous flag-raising ceremonies will be conducted in all AFP units nationwide at about 7:30 a.m.

The anniversary celebration will also be highlighted by the awarding of medals to combat heroes as well as those who were involved in the disaster response efforts of the AFP.

This will be led by President Benigno S. Aquino III himself at the GHQ Grandstand. He will also deliver his anniversary message to the troops and the Filipino people as well.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=&sid=&nid=&rid=598212