PH, US troops train on minefield, obstacle clearing

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 24, 2022): PH, US troops train on minefield, obstacle clearing (By Priam Nepomuceno)

Philippine Army and US Army combat engineers fire the anti-personnel obstacle breaching system (APOBS) in the second phase of the combat engineer simulation exercise held at the 1st Brigade Combat Team Demo Range, Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija on April 21, 2023. (Photo from PA)

MANILA – The Philippine Army (PA) and US Army combat engineers on Friday (April 21) fired the anti-personnel obstacle breaching system (APOBS) as part of the "Balikatan" exercise to clear minefields and other obstacles at the battlefield.

Army spokesperson Col. Xerxes Trinidad, in a statement Sunday, said the firing of the APOBS is part of the combat engineer simulation exercise subject matter expert exchange held at the 1st Brigade Combat Team Demo Range at Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija.

It is part of the second phase of the obstacle-clearing exercise, he added.

"APOBS is an explosive line charge system that allows safe breaching through complex antipersonnel obstacles, particularly on land mine fields," Trinidad said.

Meanwhile, a Bangalore torpedo was fired in the first phase of the obstacle-clearing drills.

"Combat engineers from both armies fired a Bangalore torpedo in the first phase. A Bangalore torpedo, an explosive charge placed within one or several connected tubes, is used by combat engineers to clear obstacles that would otherwise require them to approach the target directly," Trinidad said.

He added these exercises highlighted the interoperability of PA and US Army combat engineers in obstacle reduction and elimination. It also bolstered their capability to provide “close-in” demining capability in support of maneuver forces.

More than 17,000 Filipino and U.S. soldiers are training side by side in the ongoing 38th iteration of Exercise "Balikatan" which started on April 11 and will end on the 28th.

"The combat engineer simulation exercise is part of the series of capability development training that enhance Filipino and American soldiers’ tactics, techniques, and procedures across a range of military operations," Trinidad said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1199967