US, Filipino troops to conduct 'combined-arms' exercises in Crow Valley

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 13): US, Filipino troops to conduct 'combined-arms' exercises in Crow Valley

American and Filipino forces will be conducting a "combined-arms" exercise using HIMARS, the two South Korean-made FA-50PH "Fighting Eagle" and armored units in Crow Valley, Tarlac this coming Thursday.

HIMARS is short for the "M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System".

It is a US light multiple rocket launcher mounted on a standard Army medium tactical vehicle truck frame.

This was disclosed by Capt. Celeste Frank Sayson, Philippine "Balikatan" public affairs office chief, in an interview Wednesday.

He said that this is the culminating exercise of the two-week "Balikatan".

Sayson said static targets, representing entrenched enemy troops, will be engaged during the course of the maneuvers.

The Philippine "Balikatan" public affairs officer did not give specifics on the proposed exercise but said all these American and Filipino units will attack as a regiment in performing their objectives.

Sayson said that this is the second time HIMARS will be firing its rockets as the first was conducted in April 4 when US Marines fired six have fired six reduced-range practice rockets (RRPRs) from their two HIMARS platforms

The RRPRs were fired by US Marines from the 2nd Platoon, Fox Battery, 14th Marine Regiment.

It has a maximum range of 15 kilometers and it's ballasted with non-explosive material.

Sayson also said that it is unlikely that US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter will be dropping by in Crow Valley but said that the American official will be definitely present during the "Balikatan" closing ceremonies on April 15.

The annual bilateral maneuvers started April 4.

Around 3,773 Filipino soldiers and 4, 904 US troops will take part in the two-week military maneuvers.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=876027