From the Manila Standard Today (May 13): Balikatan soldiers in ‘live fire’ assaults
About 200 American and 500 Filipino soldiers took part in simulated “live fire” assault on enemy positions during the 10-day Balikatan military exercises at Fort Ramon Magsaysay here last week, training officer Capt. Ian Hermosura said.
He said in addition to the military exercises the soldiers also enhanced their inter-operability in disaster response and humanitarian activities such as medical missions and rehabilitation of damaged school buildings.
“The Americans brought their Opsprey helicopter, a vertical and horizontal airlift that they also used during relief and rescue operations in areas affected by typhoon Yolanda in central Visayas,” Hermosura said.
But this year’s Balikatan, which started on May 6 and will end on May 16, gained added significance because of the presence of Gen. Vincent Brooks, commanding general of the U.S. Army in the Pacific.
Brooks conferred with Brig. Gen. Glorioso Miranda of the Philippine Army’s 7th Infantry Division and Brig. Gen. Donato San Juan of the Special Operations Command last Friday. He observed the live fire exercises at Fernandez Hill and talked to the troops.
Hermosura said the moral of the Americans were high because of the presence of Brooks, who showed interest on the efficiency of the interoperability training.
“We saw that their commander is exerting effort. They are serious in this kind of activities, especially the bilateral exercises,” he said. “It (Brook’s visit) showed the seriousness of the US not only in enhancing relationship but also in helping our armed forces.”
http://manilastandardtoday.com/2014/05/13/balikatan-soldiers-in-live-fire-assaults/
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