US, Filipino troopers display rapid response capability during Balikatan

From the Philippine News Agency (May 15): US, Filipino troopers display rapid response capability during Balikatan

US and Filipino troopers, participating in this year's "Balikatan" exercises, demonstrated their rapid response force capabilities during the combined arms live-fire exercise (CALFEX) at the Crow Valley Gunnery Range in Sta. Juliana, Capas town, Tarlac Thursday.

Army commander Lt. Gen. Hernando DCA Iriberri witnessed the execution of the final scenario-based raids, which highlighted the skills of both the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the United States forces in combined and joint operations.

The field training exercise is based on simulated realistic scenarios, Philippine Army (PA) spokesperson Lt. Col. Noel Detoyato said.

Just like in the previous years, CALFEX included a helicopter raid, mechanized raid, motorized raid, and ground troop maneuvers.

The participating AFP troops in the exercise include the 20th Infantry Battalion and the 31st Mechanized Company; Marine Battalion Landing Team, composed of the 211th Marine Company and the 511th Marine Weapons Company; Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force; Artillery Company; and the Philippine Air Force Support Units.

The United States forces, on the other hand, is composed of the US Marine Corps Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company Detachment.

CALFEX is the culmination of staff planning between the General Headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo and Western Command in Palawan, which focuses on enhancing the AFP's crisis action planning capability in maritime security and territorial defense operations.

Field training exercises are being conducted to improve the interoperability and rapid response for both the Philippines and the United States.

CALFEX also aims to expand the ground war fighting skills and capabilities of both forces.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=643940