From DWDD AFP Civil Relations Service Radio Website (Apr 13):
BALIKATAN 2016 II Activities in Full Swing at Ft Magsaysay
FORT MAGSAYSAY, Nueva Ecija (DWDD)
– BALIKATAN 2016 (BK16), the annual Philippine-U.S. military bilateral training exercise, formally opened in Fort Ramon Magsaysay last April 4. Colonel Ramon G Linasan, the Philippine Army Exercise Director of BK 16 led the contingent of participants who were welcomed by Major General Angelito M De Leon, Commander of the 7th Infantry (KAUGNAY) Division based in Fort Magsaysay.
BK16 is a signature element of the Philippine-US Alliance focused on a variety of missions to include humanitarian assistance, maritime law enforcement, and environmental protection. A series of activities have been lined-up for the participants of BK16 which has been broken into three simultaneous events which are (a) Command Post Exercises (CPX)/ Staff Exercises (STAFFEX), (b) Field Training Exercises (FTX), and (c) Humanitarian/Civic Assistance (HCA)/Civil Military Operation (CMO) Support. Field Training Exercises and Humanitarian/Civic Exercises are the main focus of the trainings being conducted in Fort Magsaysay.
A briefing regarding Camp Rules and Regulationsfor the BK16 participants was conducted right after the opening ceremony. Troop Leading Procedure (TLP) classes followed while a group of BK16 Officers coordinated with the Engineering officers at the Provincial Capitol of Nueva Ecija regarding BK16 exercises, and conducted a survey in surrounding barangays. A short orientation regarding the culture, tradition and eco-tourism destinations within the province was also conducted by the local tourism office for the BK16 participants.
The following days witnessed a series of activities geared toward further development of the war-fighting skills of the BK16 participants which all falls under FTX. All activities that include live fire and mortar exchanges takes place within the Fort Magsaysay Training grounds, impact areas that are anywhere near barangays (or even those relatively far) have been coordinated with the appropriate local government offices for the safety of all concerned. A public announcement has also been released for the general public.
A more active involvement with regards to community relations was shown through the renovation of Bakod Bayan Elementary School and the Wreath–laying Ceremony done at Pangatian Shrine in Cabanatuan City, in commemoration of Araw ng Kagitingan and Philippine Veterans’ Week.
Representatives ofAllied Armed Forces from Japan, Cambodia, Brunei, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Timor-Leste, New Zealand and Canada came to Fort Magsaysay under the International Observers Program (IOP) to observe the ongoing bilateral exercises. The IOP aims to continue increased collaboration and participation in the BK to provide a platform for regional engagement and development of partner-nation military capabilities.
BK16 is the 32
nd iteration of the exercise jointly conducted by the Philippines and the United State. It will last for 13 days, from April 4 to April 16. 7DPAO / MCAG
| Philippine and U.S. Army troops during one of the sniper drills conducted at the 7th Infantry Division Firing Range. |
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Philippine soldiers check-out a Cartridge 81 mm high explosive device while U.S. soldiers show how to properly load the device (picture below) into the 81 MM Mortar during the BALIKATAN 2016 Filed Training Exercises being held at Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija.
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| A US-Black Hawk helicopterflies in to drop water at a target area during one of the disaster relief trainings conducted under BALIKATAN 2016. |
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| A military officer observer under the International Observers Program (IOP) gamely shows the proper form during a Rope Course Exercise under BALIKATAN 2016. |
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| BALIKATAN 2016 participants conduct a courtesy call to local government officials of Nueva Ecija and coordinated with them regarding the BK16 Exercises. |
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Representatives of the Armed Forces from Japan, Cambodia, Brunei, Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Timor-Leste, New Zealand and Canada came to Fort Magsaysay under the International Observers Program (IOP) to observe the ongoing bilateral exercises under BALIKATAN 2016.
http://dwdd.com.ph/2015/balikatan-2016-ii-activities-in-full-swing-at-ft-magsaysay/ |
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