'Dagit' exercises between PHL Navy, Air Force opens

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 17): 'Dagit' exercises between PHL Navy, Air Force opens

The inter-operability exercise "Dagit 2016" was formally opened at the Naval Base Heracleo Alano in Sangley Point, Cavite City Monday.

The joint maneuvers, now on its 10th year, will last until October 28.

Lt. Sahirul Taib, Philippine Fleet public affairs office chief, said the exercise aims to enhance the inter-operability and operational capabilities of the Philippine Navy and Philippine Air Force units in air and naval operations in support to the Unified Command’s requirements in the conduct of internal security operations and in support of territorial defense operations.

The series of exercises will be conducted in the areas of Naval Base Heracleo Alano, Marine Barracks Gregorio Lim, Ternate Cavite and in the vicinity of Manila Bay and Caballo Island.

Taib said the exercise will be carried out in three phases: preparation phase on Oct. 17-23; exercise phase on Oct. 24-27; and the final phase on Oct. 28.

The exercise phase refers to the field training exercise, which includes subject matter expertise exchanges, classroom instructions, table top exercise, and joint training exercise.

Philippine Fleet commander, Rear Adm. Bayani Gaerlan, said the exercise will surely advance the PN and PAF units’ inter-operability in joint maritime security operations, as well as to foster camaraderie among the officers and personnel of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Aside from these, the joint maneuvers also seek to improve operational capability in joint maritime security operations, and improvement of areas of inter-operability and other joint training opportunities between PN and PAF.

"Dagit" started in 2003 during the term of then Navy Capt. Jose Luis Alano, with the Naval Air Group and 15th Strike Wing as the only participating units involved.

In 2007, it eventually evolved to what is now known as the PN-PAF IOX (inter-operability exercise) when both branches of service have realized the importance of the role being played by each service in actual operations in the area of responsibility of different Unified Commands.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=931977