Title: Balikatan Exercises
Description: PhilBEx,Talon Vision, CARAT and updates
Description: PhilBEx,Talon Vision, CARAT and updates
Duminus - July 14, 2004 02:24 AM (GMT)
The Manila Times
US Navy task force to head for RP
KUANTAN, Malaysia—A fleet of five US Navy ships carrying some 1,200 military men has arrived in Malaysia for joint exercises in the South China Sea, a top official said on Tuesday.
The task force has conducted similar exercises with the military forces of Singapore, Brunei and Thailand and goes on to the Philippines after Malaysia.
“This is a great opportunity to get together to do navy things. There is a lot we can learn from each other,” the task force’s group commander, Capt. Buzz Little, told reporters aboard the guided-missile destroyer the USS Russell.
Little said the four-day annual Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (Carat) exercises aimed at bolstering military ties would begin Saturday.
Apart from simulating the response to air and surface attacks, this year’s exercise off Malaysia’s eastern Pahang state would feature landings with Malaysian troops riding US amphibious landing craft.
The US task force comprises the guided-missile destroyers USS Russell and USS McCampbell, the US Coast Guard high endurance cutter Mellon, the dock landing ship USS Fort McHenry and rescue and salvage ship USS Salvor.
Other elements include P-3C Orion patrol and reconnaissance aircraft and SH-60 Seahawk helicopters.
Carat is a regular series of bilateral military exercises with several Southeast Asian nations designed to enhance the ability of the US Navy and its allies in the region to operate together.
The cooperation between Malaysia and the US comes in the wake of a dispute over reports that Washington wanted US forces to help patrol the Malacca Strait, off Malaysia’s west coast, against possible terrorist attacks on shipping.
Malaysia, a Muslim country, rejected the idea of US involvement in the vital shipping lane, saying it would infringe on its sovereignty and attract rather than repel terrorism.
The commander of US forces in the Pacific, Adm. Thomas Fargo, visited Malaysia last month to deny the reports, saying cooperation would focus on intelligence sharing and helping to build the capacity of countries in the region to face the threat themselves.
-- AFP
US Navy task force to head for RP
KUANTAN, Malaysia—A fleet of five US Navy ships carrying some 1,200 military men has arrived in Malaysia for joint exercises in the South China Sea, a top official said on Tuesday.
The task force has conducted similar exercises with the military forces of Singapore, Brunei and Thailand and goes on to the Philippines after Malaysia.
“This is a great opportunity to get together to do navy things. There is a lot we can learn from each other,” the task force’s group commander, Capt. Buzz Little, told reporters aboard the guided-missile destroyer the USS Russell.
Little said the four-day annual Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (Carat) exercises aimed at bolstering military ties would begin Saturday.
Apart from simulating the response to air and surface attacks, this year’s exercise off Malaysia’s eastern Pahang state would feature landings with Malaysian troops riding US amphibious landing craft.
The US task force comprises the guided-missile destroyers USS Russell and USS McCampbell, the US Coast Guard high endurance cutter Mellon, the dock landing ship USS Fort McHenry and rescue and salvage ship USS Salvor.
Other elements include P-3C Orion patrol and reconnaissance aircraft and SH-60 Seahawk helicopters.
Carat is a regular series of bilateral military exercises with several Southeast Asian nations designed to enhance the ability of the US Navy and its allies in the region to operate together.
The cooperation between Malaysia and the US comes in the wake of a dispute over reports that Washington wanted US forces to help patrol the Malacca Strait, off Malaysia’s west coast, against possible terrorist attacks on shipping.
Malaysia, a Muslim country, rejected the idea of US involvement in the vital shipping lane, saying it would infringe on its sovereignty and attract rather than repel terrorism.
The commander of US forces in the Pacific, Adm. Thomas Fargo, visited Malaysia last month to deny the reports, saying cooperation would focus on intelligence sharing and helping to build the capacity of countries in the region to face the threat themselves.
-- AFP
Dancing Fire - July 17, 2004 12:52 AM (GMT)
Link
Saturday, July 17, 2004
Balikatan exercises should
be moved, Pimentel says
SEN. Aquilino Pimentel Jr. on Friday raised concerns that ongoing peace talks between the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the government would be hurt if the Balikatan military exercises will be held in MILF-infested areas.
Pimentel said the plan to hold the Balikatan exercises could heighten tension and provoke clashes between the combined US-Philippine troops and the rebels.
He urged the Philippines and the United States to transfer the antiterrorism training, scheduled late this week, from Carmen, North Cotabato, to a more suitable site in Mindanao.
The antiterrorism exercises would reportedly be held outside the Army’s 602nd Infantry Brigade headquarters in Carmen, near an MILF-influenced area.
Pimentel’s views dovetailed with those aired by the Mindanao People’s Caucus.
A member of the caucus, the Suara Bangsamoro, warned that the presence of American soldiers in areas where MILF rebels operate could agitate conflict “no matter how much both sides would avoid each other.”
The caucus is an association of cause-oriented groups and peace advocates promoting peace and development in Mindanao.
“Our position on the Balikatan exercises remains the same. If Carmen is a war zone in the sense that Moro rebels occupy some places which could accidentally or by design be visited by Balikatan troops, then the better part of prudence is not to hold the exercises there,” Pimentel said.
Any incident could trigger an MILF walkout and make it more difficult for the Moros to accept the role of the US Institute of Peace as an honest broker for peace in Mindanao, he added.
Failure of the peace talks would also hurt the national economy, Pimentel warned.
-- Sammy Martin, Correspondent
Saturday, July 17, 2004
Balikatan exercises should
be moved, Pimentel says
SEN. Aquilino Pimentel Jr. on Friday raised concerns that ongoing peace talks between the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the government would be hurt if the Balikatan military exercises will be held in MILF-infested areas.
Pimentel said the plan to hold the Balikatan exercises could heighten tension and provoke clashes between the combined US-Philippine troops and the rebels.
He urged the Philippines and the United States to transfer the antiterrorism training, scheduled late this week, from Carmen, North Cotabato, to a more suitable site in Mindanao.
The antiterrorism exercises would reportedly be held outside the Army’s 602nd Infantry Brigade headquarters in Carmen, near an MILF-influenced area.
Pimentel’s views dovetailed with those aired by the Mindanao People’s Caucus.
A member of the caucus, the Suara Bangsamoro, warned that the presence of American soldiers in areas where MILF rebels operate could agitate conflict “no matter how much both sides would avoid each other.”
The caucus is an association of cause-oriented groups and peace advocates promoting peace and development in Mindanao.
“Our position on the Balikatan exercises remains the same. If Carmen is a war zone in the sense that Moro rebels occupy some places which could accidentally or by design be visited by Balikatan troops, then the better part of prudence is not to hold the exercises there,” Pimentel said.
Any incident could trigger an MILF walkout and make it more difficult for the Moros to accept the role of the US Institute of Peace as an honest broker for peace in Mindanao, he added.
Failure of the peace talks would also hurt the national economy, Pimentel warned.
-- Sammy Martin, Correspondent
Numbers - July 21, 2004 07:52 AM (GMT)
Website
CARMEN, North Cotabato -- Eight Moro villages are said to be the sites of the joint US-RP military exercises, contrary to what has been reported that the exercises will be strictly confined in the military camp.
US soldiers started to arrive Monday and at least 10 6x6 military vehicles also arrived carrying Filipino troops from the nearby town of Arakan.
Col. Isagani Cachuela, chief of the Army's 602nd Infantry Brigade, said American soldiers who are part of an "advance team" also arrived in Carmen since Monday.
"They are part of the security preparations... more administrative," Cachuela said, refusing to give more details for security purposes.
These developments irked some residents of the identified villages, some of them even warned that they evacuate the moment they see American troops enter their villages.
Akmad Magid, chair of the local youth group called United Youth for Peace and Development, said most of the residents of barangay Manarapan have already planned to flee their homes upon arrival of the US soldiers.
Manarapan, one of the highly devastated villages in Carmen during the all-out-war policy of former president Joseph Estrada against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), is said to be another area where US soldiers will "enter" during the exercises that is set to start on July 26.
Other areas identified were Nasapian, Kibayaw, Rancho, Kibinis, Katanayanan, Ugalingan, and Limbalod.
These villages are all part of what the government called as Limbalod Complex.
The complex was also one of the sites of many conflicts before.
Few years ago, North Cotabato Gov. Emmanuel Piñol said the MILF had established a mayhem government inside the complex.
It is also where the controversial Malitubog-Maridagao irrigation project is located.
Rayma Katog, a resident of Kibayaw, said she might stop from going to school should her village be "encroached" by the US and RP soldiers.
"Mahihirapan na akong mag-aral n'yan. Matatakot na kaming lumabas kasi talagang takot kami sa mga Amerikano... ewan ko lang kung ano nang mangyayari nito sa amin," the 15-year-old girl said.
Villagers also expressed apprehension the joint military exercises could lead into a war between the MILF and the soldiers, as most of the outskirt villages of Carmen are identified as MILF areas.
"Aywan lang pero parang isa sa mga sadya nila dito ay ang MILF talaga," another resident of Manarapan said.
Manarapan Barangay Captain Guinaed Dalid said American soldiers visited his village at least twice in June and he was told that the village would be the venue of a humanitarian mission that includes the conduct of civic action and delivery of health services.
"Sabi nila 'good!' Gusto daw nila ang Manarapan kasi passable," Dalid said.
But Cachuela insisted there was no truth to reports about making the eight villages as venue of the exercises.
He said the exercises would be strictly confined inside the camp.
He, however, admitted that some villages of Carmen, including Manarapan, will be used as venues of the exercises' humanitarian mission component.
He said the exercises have two components, military training and humanitarian mission.
CARMEN, North Cotabato -- Eight Moro villages are said to be the sites of the joint US-RP military exercises, contrary to what has been reported that the exercises will be strictly confined in the military camp.
US soldiers started to arrive Monday and at least 10 6x6 military vehicles also arrived carrying Filipino troops from the nearby town of Arakan.
Col. Isagani Cachuela, chief of the Army's 602nd Infantry Brigade, said American soldiers who are part of an "advance team" also arrived in Carmen since Monday.
"They are part of the security preparations... more administrative," Cachuela said, refusing to give more details for security purposes.
These developments irked some residents of the identified villages, some of them even warned that they evacuate the moment they see American troops enter their villages.
Akmad Magid, chair of the local youth group called United Youth for Peace and Development, said most of the residents of barangay Manarapan have already planned to flee their homes upon arrival of the US soldiers.
Manarapan, one of the highly devastated villages in Carmen during the all-out-war policy of former president Joseph Estrada against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), is said to be another area where US soldiers will "enter" during the exercises that is set to start on July 26.
Other areas identified were Nasapian, Kibayaw, Rancho, Kibinis, Katanayanan, Ugalingan, and Limbalod.
These villages are all part of what the government called as Limbalod Complex.
The complex was also one of the sites of many conflicts before.
Few years ago, North Cotabato Gov. Emmanuel Piñol said the MILF had established a mayhem government inside the complex.
It is also where the controversial Malitubog-Maridagao irrigation project is located.
Rayma Katog, a resident of Kibayaw, said she might stop from going to school should her village be "encroached" by the US and RP soldiers.
"Mahihirapan na akong mag-aral n'yan. Matatakot na kaming lumabas kasi talagang takot kami sa mga Amerikano... ewan ko lang kung ano nang mangyayari nito sa amin," the 15-year-old girl said.
Villagers also expressed apprehension the joint military exercises could lead into a war between the MILF and the soldiers, as most of the outskirt villages of Carmen are identified as MILF areas.
"Aywan lang pero parang isa sa mga sadya nila dito ay ang MILF talaga," another resident of Manarapan said.
Manarapan Barangay Captain Guinaed Dalid said American soldiers visited his village at least twice in June and he was told that the village would be the venue of a humanitarian mission that includes the conduct of civic action and delivery of health services.
"Sabi nila 'good!' Gusto daw nila ang Manarapan kasi passable," Dalid said.
But Cachuela insisted there was no truth to reports about making the eight villages as venue of the exercises.
He said the exercises would be strictly confined inside the camp.
He, however, admitted that some villages of Carmen, including Manarapan, will be used as venues of the exercises' humanitarian mission component.
He said the exercises have two components, military training and humanitarian mission.
MrLee - July 23, 2004 06:51 AM (GMT)
ZAMBOANGA CITY - Philippine and military officials adopted preventive measures to avoid a repetition of an incident where a civilian was wounded during a live firing familiarization exercise in the joint RP-US Security Assistance Training Program in barangay San Roque, in this city.
On Wednesday a civilian named Naharon Alsid, 21, of sitio San Isidro, San Roque, was accidentally hit by a bullet when he tried to cross the firing range at the training area that was being used by Filipino and American soldiers at the time.
US and Filipino medical personnel treated Alsid at the training site and later transferred him to the military’s Camp Navarro General Hospital for further treatment. Attending physicians say Alsid is “safe.”
more
On Wednesday a civilian named Naharon Alsid, 21, of sitio San Isidro, San Roque, was accidentally hit by a bullet when he tried to cross the firing range at the training area that was being used by Filipino and American soldiers at the time.
US and Filipino medical personnel treated Alsid at the training site and later transferred him to the military’s Camp Navarro General Hospital for further treatment. Attending physicians say Alsid is “safe.”
more
Numbers - July 23, 2004 08:10 AM (GMT)
They oughta be careful, I recall the brouhaha that followed the death of scavenging kids in Toledo City after a team of US Navy SEALs left an unexploded grenade on range.
Alamid - July 23, 2004 09:49 AM (GMT)
Hmmm...were they US Navy SEALs or Special Forces?
Numbers - July 24, 2004 01:27 AM (GMT)
If memory serves me right Alamid, they were USN SEALs participating in a live fire exercise with PN SWAG elements.
MrLee - July 25, 2004 07:50 AM (GMT)
Balance Piston update
Ralliers to greet Carmen war drills
By JEOFFREY MAITEM
TODAY Correspondent
CARMEN, North Cotabato - Thousands of protesters are expected to gather today at an undisclosed location near the site of the joint Philippines-U.S. military training here to denounce its holding in this town, where the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) reportedly maintains 1,000 heavily armed troops.
United Youth of the Philippines spokesman Bobby Benito, told radio station dxMS in Cotabato City that the holding of the war drills, dubbed as “Balance Piston” is a violation to the existing cease-fire agreement between the Philippine government and MILF.
The 1,900-strong MILF, however, claimed earlier that there is nothing wrong with the holding of war games here as long as participating troops would not engage in combat roles.
Protesters criticized the military, particularly Army’s 602nd Infantry Brigade commander Col. Isagani Cachuela, for his “Gestapo-like tactics in ordering” mayors not to grant permits to rallies against the training.
In reaction, Philippine and U.S. Army officials assured the people that there is nothing to worry with the military exercises, which will start tomorrow, as it would be held only inside the military camp.
Army Col. Efren del Prado, Sixth Infantry Division spokesman, told Today the military exercises would be held at Camp Lucero, the headquarters of the Army’s 602nd Infantry Brigade.
Also, North Cotabato Gov. Emmanuel Piñol, a known critic of the MILF, said on Saturday that U.S. Army Capts. Carl Fetch and Andrew Louis, whom they invited during a session of the provincial lawmakers, made the assurance that the training would only focus on enhancing the skills of Filipino and American soldiers.
But Catholic priest Fr. Peter Geremia, coordinator of the Tribal Filipino Program of the diocese of Kidapawan, described Balance Piston as “not a gesture of peace but a provocation.”
At the same time, he asked why the “small-scale training” should be held in Carmen if it only involves a small group of soldiers.
Besides Carmen, similar military exercises will be held in Subic and Zamboanga City.
Del Prado said he could not yet give details of what exactly will happen tomorrow as he and his counterpart in the U.S. Army have not yet discussed issues concerning the Balance Piston.
The Balance Piston, involving some 20 U.S. Special Forces from Okinawa, Japan, and 160 Filipino soldiers will last for three weeks.
link
Ralliers to greet Carmen war drills
By JEOFFREY MAITEM
TODAY Correspondent
CARMEN, North Cotabato - Thousands of protesters are expected to gather today at an undisclosed location near the site of the joint Philippines-U.S. military training here to denounce its holding in this town, where the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) reportedly maintains 1,000 heavily armed troops.
United Youth of the Philippines spokesman Bobby Benito, told radio station dxMS in Cotabato City that the holding of the war drills, dubbed as “Balance Piston” is a violation to the existing cease-fire agreement between the Philippine government and MILF.
The 1,900-strong MILF, however, claimed earlier that there is nothing wrong with the holding of war games here as long as participating troops would not engage in combat roles.
Protesters criticized the military, particularly Army’s 602nd Infantry Brigade commander Col. Isagani Cachuela, for his “Gestapo-like tactics in ordering” mayors not to grant permits to rallies against the training.
In reaction, Philippine and U.S. Army officials assured the people that there is nothing to worry with the military exercises, which will start tomorrow, as it would be held only inside the military camp.
Army Col. Efren del Prado, Sixth Infantry Division spokesman, told Today the military exercises would be held at Camp Lucero, the headquarters of the Army’s 602nd Infantry Brigade.
Also, North Cotabato Gov. Emmanuel Piñol, a known critic of the MILF, said on Saturday that U.S. Army Capts. Carl Fetch and Andrew Louis, whom they invited during a session of the provincial lawmakers, made the assurance that the training would only focus on enhancing the skills of Filipino and American soldiers.
But Catholic priest Fr. Peter Geremia, coordinator of the Tribal Filipino Program of the diocese of Kidapawan, described Balance Piston as “not a gesture of peace but a provocation.”
At the same time, he asked why the “small-scale training” should be held in Carmen if it only involves a small group of soldiers.
Besides Carmen, similar military exercises will be held in Subic and Zamboanga City.
Del Prado said he could not yet give details of what exactly will happen tomorrow as he and his counterpart in the U.S. Army have not yet discussed issues concerning the Balance Piston.
The Balance Piston, involving some 20 U.S. Special Forces from Okinawa, Japan, and 160 Filipino soldiers will last for three weeks.
link
Alamid - July 26, 2004 03:22 AM (GMT)
Mr. Lee, I have noticed that you have become PDFF's resident reporter.
Care to become a registered member?
:beer:
Care to become a registered member?
:beer:
Ka Rondo - July 27, 2004 07:52 AM (GMT)
DESPITE RP TROOP PULLOUT....
US counterterror training starts
By Roel Pareño
The Philippine Star 07/26/2004
ZAMBOANGA CITY — US Special Forces have started training some 240 Filipino soldiers in anti-terror tactics and marksmanship, military officials in Mindanao said yesterday.
Maj. Bartolome Vicente Bacarro, Southern Command information officer, said 30 members of the US Special Forces started training last week two companies from the 6th Army Division based in Central Mindanao.
"The US Special Forces will enhance the marksmanship capability of the Filipino soldiers," he said. "The main focus of the training is really on anti-terror capability."
Bacarro said six companies or around 720 soldiers will receive the training by the end of the year.
The training is seen by some observers as part of the Philippine government’s attempts to restore its anti-terror credentials after reaping condemnation from the US for pulling out its humanitarian contingent from Iraq last week to save the life of kidnapped truck driver Angelo de la Cruz.
Brigade commander Col. Isagani Cachuela said the training showed the resolve of the two countries to confront the threat posed by Jemaah Islamiyah (JI), widely regarded as the Southeast Asian proxy of al-Qaeda, the group behind the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks in the US.
"There is a serious effort to thwart terrorism so we have to prepare ourselves through training," he said.
Mindanao has in recent years been a concern of the US, which claims to have evidence of terrorist training camps here.
Millions of dollars in aid are being funneled into Mindanao to convince the impoverished Muslim minority to turn toward economic development instead of supporting the extremists.
A report two weeks ago by the Brussels-based think tank International Crisis group warned that the JI was using ties with the more moderate Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to train replacements for members arrested in Indonesia after the October 2002 Bali bombings.
The report claimed that weak policing made Mindanao attractive to "‘lone wolf’ operators and cells of various jihadist organizations."
The MILF denies having links with the JI. Spokesman Eid Kabalu says his group is observing a ceasefire with the military for the past year and that the military exercises with the US are not an issue for the rebel group.
In the former MILF stronghold of Carmen, North Cotabato, at least 20 US personnel will start today the holding of joint training exercises with the Armed Forces.
AFP spkesman Lt. Col. Daniel Lucero said the US military personnel will join the "Balance Piston" joint military exercises along with their counterparts from the Philippine Army and Marines.
Lucero said at least 150 Army personnel of the 39th and 40th infantry battalions will participate in the maneuvers aimed at enhancing inter-operability between the two armed forces.
Two other platoons from the 6th Marine Battalion of the Philippine Marines are expected to join the exercises.
Lucero said the joint exercises are considered a small-scale maneuver compared to the RP-US Balikatan annual event, so it can be held at the 602nd Infantry Brigade headquarters in Carmen.
The town is a former stronghold of the MILF, which prompted the Armed Forces to set up an Army brigade headquarters there after overrunning several secessionist camps.
Lucero added security measures are in place for the holding of Balance Piston. — With reports from Christina Mendez, AFP
:fire:
US counterterror training starts
By Roel Pareño
The Philippine Star 07/26/2004
ZAMBOANGA CITY — US Special Forces have started training some 240 Filipino soldiers in anti-terror tactics and marksmanship, military officials in Mindanao said yesterday.
Maj. Bartolome Vicente Bacarro, Southern Command information officer, said 30 members of the US Special Forces started training last week two companies from the 6th Army Division based in Central Mindanao.
"The US Special Forces will enhance the marksmanship capability of the Filipino soldiers," he said. "The main focus of the training is really on anti-terror capability."
Bacarro said six companies or around 720 soldiers will receive the training by the end of the year.
The training is seen by some observers as part of the Philippine government’s attempts to restore its anti-terror credentials after reaping condemnation from the US for pulling out its humanitarian contingent from Iraq last week to save the life of kidnapped truck driver Angelo de la Cruz.
Brigade commander Col. Isagani Cachuela said the training showed the resolve of the two countries to confront the threat posed by Jemaah Islamiyah (JI), widely regarded as the Southeast Asian proxy of al-Qaeda, the group behind the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks in the US.
"There is a serious effort to thwart terrorism so we have to prepare ourselves through training," he said.
Mindanao has in recent years been a concern of the US, which claims to have evidence of terrorist training camps here.
Millions of dollars in aid are being funneled into Mindanao to convince the impoverished Muslim minority to turn toward economic development instead of supporting the extremists.
A report two weeks ago by the Brussels-based think tank International Crisis group warned that the JI was using ties with the more moderate Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) to train replacements for members arrested in Indonesia after the October 2002 Bali bombings.
The report claimed that weak policing made Mindanao attractive to "‘lone wolf’ operators and cells of various jihadist organizations."
The MILF denies having links with the JI. Spokesman Eid Kabalu says his group is observing a ceasefire with the military for the past year and that the military exercises with the US are not an issue for the rebel group.
In the former MILF stronghold of Carmen, North Cotabato, at least 20 US personnel will start today the holding of joint training exercises with the Armed Forces.
AFP spkesman Lt. Col. Daniel Lucero said the US military personnel will join the "Balance Piston" joint military exercises along with their counterparts from the Philippine Army and Marines.
Lucero said at least 150 Army personnel of the 39th and 40th infantry battalions will participate in the maneuvers aimed at enhancing inter-operability between the two armed forces.
Two other platoons from the 6th Marine Battalion of the Philippine Marines are expected to join the exercises.
Lucero said the joint exercises are considered a small-scale maneuver compared to the RP-US Balikatan annual event, so it can be held at the 602nd Infantry Brigade headquarters in Carmen.
The town is a former stronghold of the MILF, which prompted the Armed Forces to set up an Army brigade headquarters there after overrunning several secessionist camps.
Lucero added security measures are in place for the holding of Balance Piston. — With reports from Christina Mendez, AFP
:fire:
Numbers - August 1, 2004 06:11 AM (GMT)
http://beta.inq7.net/breaking/index.php?in...1&story_id=1451
21 soldiers securing US trainers hurt in road mishap
Updated 07:01pm (Mla time) July 31, 2004
By Rosa-May De Guzman
Inquirer News Service
COTABATO CITY, Sultan Kudarat, Philippines -- Twenty-one Filipino soldiers providing security to American soldiers in the ongoing Philippine-US military exercise in Carmen, North Cotabato, were hurt in a road accident in Maguindanao on Friday.
Of the 21 members of the 2nd Scout Ranger Battalion, seven were seriously injured, said Army Lt. Col. Franklin del Prado, spokesperson of the 6th Infantry Division.
Del Prado said the victims came from Camp Lucero in Carmen, and were on their way to the 6th ID in Awang, Datu Odin Sinsuat town in Maguindanao, when their vehicle figured in an accident in Pagalungan town.
Del Prado said the driver of the military truck lost control of the vehicle as he was negotiating a sharp curve, causing it to crash.
21 soldiers securing US trainers hurt in road mishap
Updated 07:01pm (Mla time) July 31, 2004
By Rosa-May De Guzman
Inquirer News Service
COTABATO CITY, Sultan Kudarat, Philippines -- Twenty-one Filipino soldiers providing security to American soldiers in the ongoing Philippine-US military exercise in Carmen, North Cotabato, were hurt in a road accident in Maguindanao on Friday.
Of the 21 members of the 2nd Scout Ranger Battalion, seven were seriously injured, said Army Lt. Col. Franklin del Prado, spokesperson of the 6th Infantry Division.
Del Prado said the victims came from Camp Lucero in Carmen, and were on their way to the 6th ID in Awang, Datu Odin Sinsuat town in Maguindanao, when their vehicle figured in an accident in Pagalungan town.
Del Prado said the driver of the military truck lost control of the vehicle as he was negotiating a sharp curve, causing it to crash.
wingblast - August 1, 2004 07:22 AM (GMT)
tough luck. i hope they recver soon
Bb. Makati - August 1, 2004 11:21 AM (GMT)
get well soon mga musang!!
hoyhoyhoy - August 11, 2004 08:52 AM (GMT)
Guest - August 11, 2004 08:58 AM (GMT)
o tignan nyo simpleng m16 lang ang gamit ng swag
;)
;) Frustrated Foot Soldier - August 11, 2004 09:35 AM (GMT)
Brand new. Walang ka galosgalos. :)
xfactor - August 12, 2004 05:10 AM (GMT)
those m16s are for photoop purposes only :D
Boombanger - August 14, 2004 11:25 AM (GMT)
really? what kind of training? ;)
ZAMBOANGA - Filipino soldiers being trained by US special forces will be deployed to hunt down Jemaah Islamiah (JI) militants in the south.
Armed forces chief Narciso Abaya said a company of Filipino soldiers training with American forces in the city of Zamboanga will soon be sent to the central part of Mindanao island, where JI members are believed to be hiding.
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He said the US-trained troops would be instrumental in pursuing the JI in Mindanao, just as US-trained troops played a key role in hunting down members of the Abu Sayyaf, an Al-Qaeda-linked Muslim group on the island of Basilan.
'Just like the (last US-Philippine collaboration) where we successfully flushed out the Abu Sayyaf, we will also use this counter-terrorism to flush out the ranks of the JI,' he said on Thursday.
US troops have been training Filipino soldiers for a month. -- AFP
link
ZAMBOANGA - Filipino soldiers being trained by US special forces will be deployed to hunt down Jemaah Islamiah (JI) militants in the south.
Armed forces chief Narciso Abaya said a company of Filipino soldiers training with American forces in the city of Zamboanga will soon be sent to the central part of Mindanao island, where JI members are believed to be hiding.
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He said the US-trained troops would be instrumental in pursuing the JI in Mindanao, just as US-trained troops played a key role in hunting down members of the Abu Sayyaf, an Al-Qaeda-linked Muslim group on the island of Basilan.
'Just like the (last US-Philippine collaboration) where we successfully flushed out the Abu Sayyaf, we will also use this counter-terrorism to flush out the ranks of the JI,' he said on Thursday.
US troops have been training Filipino soldiers for a month. -- AFP
link
Frenzy - January 26, 2005 04:29 AM (GMT)
THE United States military will trim down the number of its personnel participating in this year’s Balikatan exercise and will concentrate on relief operations in tsunami-ravaged countries in South Asia, a US military official said Tuesday.
Col. Mathias Velasco, chief of the Joint United States Military Assistance Group (JUSMAG), said that the US will send no more than 300 soldiers to the Balikatan exercise, compared with about 2,000 in past exercises.
Velasco said that the US participants in the joint RP-US military exercise would also be doing more relief, humanitarian and civil operations, especially in provinces that were heavily hit by a series of typhoons last year.
“We intend to conduct civic operations in Laguna and also in some municipalities in Quezon with the doctors and nurses of the Armed Forces of the Philippines,” Velasco said.
The Balikatan exercise is an annual bilateral training of the US and the Philippines that aims to enhance the coordination of their military forces in combat operations.
Besides this, the Filipino soldiers are also being trained by their US counterparts in counterterrorism and other specialized operations and tactics.
The last Balikatan exercise was held in Palawan in 2004 with 2,300 Filipino and 2,600 American soldiers participating.
http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2005/j...50126top10.html
Col. Mathias Velasco, chief of the Joint United States Military Assistance Group (JUSMAG), said that the US will send no more than 300 soldiers to the Balikatan exercise, compared with about 2,000 in past exercises.
Velasco said that the US participants in the joint RP-US military exercise would also be doing more relief, humanitarian and civil operations, especially in provinces that were heavily hit by a series of typhoons last year.
“We intend to conduct civic operations in Laguna and also in some municipalities in Quezon with the doctors and nurses of the Armed Forces of the Philippines,” Velasco said.
The Balikatan exercise is an annual bilateral training of the US and the Philippines that aims to enhance the coordination of their military forces in combat operations.
Besides this, the Filipino soldiers are also being trained by their US counterparts in counterterrorism and other specialized operations and tactics.
The last Balikatan exercise was held in Palawan in 2004 with 2,300 Filipino and 2,600 American soldiers participating.
http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2005/j...50126top10.html
Frenzy - January 26, 2005 04:32 AM (GMT)
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-01/...ent_2501967.htm
MANILA, Jan. 24 (Xinhuanet) -- The United States ambassador to Manila Francis Ricciardone admitted Monday that about 70 to 74 American military intelligence operatives are operating in the country.
However, Ricciardone stressed that they are in the Philippines to provide anti-terrorism training and advice to the country's military and police.
"In general, here is ongoing cooperation and intelligence fusion. About 70 to 74 US military men are helping intelligence operations," Ricciardone told the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines.
He said that the United States will impart its knowledge to Philippine troops to bring intelligence sharing and training between the two countries "closer in real time."
Ricciardone did not say how long the troops would stay in the Philippines or the legal basis for their stint in the country.
The Philippine constitution bars the entry of foreign forces inthe country unless covered by a treaty. The Philippines has no status of forces agreement with the United States.
Ricciardone explained that the line of defense cooperation and training is clear and defined.
"We try to enable them by helping with training, advice, specialized navy units training seaborne, and strengthen command and control," he said.
He said that size of military contingent involved in the intelligence training may also vary. "It's a series of different exercises, coming and going for short period of time. They are integrated with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) for a specific short term tasks under the Visiting Forces Agreement," hesaid.
Ricciardone maintained that the United States did not violate the Philippine Constitution since they are only "temporary guests"of the AFP.
He immediately doused speculations of a de facto US military base in the southern Philippines.
The ambassador assured "no permanent structures or microscopic territory" will be built under their management and control.
"Your troops and policemen are the ones doing the chasing. We are on side of the Philippine government when it comes to combating terror," he said.
"Anytime you want us to go, say the word and we're gone," he added.
MANILA, Jan. 24 (Xinhuanet) -- The United States ambassador to Manila Francis Ricciardone admitted Monday that about 70 to 74 American military intelligence operatives are operating in the country.
However, Ricciardone stressed that they are in the Philippines to provide anti-terrorism training and advice to the country's military and police.
"In general, here is ongoing cooperation and intelligence fusion. About 70 to 74 US military men are helping intelligence operations," Ricciardone told the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines.
He said that the United States will impart its knowledge to Philippine troops to bring intelligence sharing and training between the two countries "closer in real time."
Ricciardone did not say how long the troops would stay in the Philippines or the legal basis for their stint in the country.
The Philippine constitution bars the entry of foreign forces inthe country unless covered by a treaty. The Philippines has no status of forces agreement with the United States.
Ricciardone explained that the line of defense cooperation and training is clear and defined.
"We try to enable them by helping with training, advice, specialized navy units training seaborne, and strengthen command and control," he said.
He said that size of military contingent involved in the intelligence training may also vary. "It's a series of different exercises, coming and going for short period of time. They are integrated with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) for a specific short term tasks under the Visiting Forces Agreement," hesaid.
Ricciardone maintained that the United States did not violate the Philippine Constitution since they are only "temporary guests"of the AFP.
He immediately doused speculations of a de facto US military base in the southern Philippines.
The ambassador assured "no permanent structures or microscopic territory" will be built under their management and control.
"Your troops and policemen are the ones doing the chasing. We are on side of the Philippine government when it comes to combating terror," he said.
"Anytime you want us to go, say the word and we're gone," he added.
Apokalypze - January 30, 2005 10:11 AM (GMT)
Hispanic/Fil-am US SF operators are "embedded" in local SF patrols against JI and ASG elements.
They wear local BDUs, look like our little brown bros and speak fluent Tagalog or Bisaya.
They're on covert/black ops in military parlance. The anti-terrorism training function mentioned by Ricciardone was but cosmetic term. :armywink:
They wear local BDUs, look like our little brown bros and speak fluent Tagalog or Bisaya.
They're on covert/black ops in military parlance. The anti-terrorism training function mentioned by Ricciardone was but cosmetic term. :armywink:
maniegom - February 3, 2005 05:06 PM (GMT)
http://www.philstar.com/philstar/News200502040402.htm
28 RP-US war games set in ’05
The Philippine Star 02/04/2005
Anti-terror allies the Philippines and the United States are to undertake 28 joint military exercises this year, a Philippine military spokesman said yesterday.
Twenty exercises would be combined maneuvers while the rest would focus on counter-narcotics and training for light reaction units, Lt. Col. Buenaventura Pascual said.
Two exercises were already in progress, one in the northern Philippines and one in Davao City for counter-narcotics training, he said.
Both are set to end on Feb. 18.
Capt. Dennis Williams, US Pacific Command liaison officer to Manila, said the scheduled exercises were subject to availability of resources from both countries.
Officials had earlier said that US relief operations in tsunami-hit countries in Asia could affect scheduled military exercises in the Philippines.
"Last year, a few planned exercises were canceled due to... limits on available resources resulting from the Middle East operations and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations," Williams said.
The Philippines is a staunch ally of the US-led war on terrorism. Small groups of US forces have been training Filipino soldiers against al-Qaeda-linked militants in Mindanao since 2001. — AFP
adroth - April 4, 2005 03:33 AM (GMT)
RP-US excercise BALANCE PISTON 05-3 set in April
http://www.afp.mil.ph/pio-crs/search2.php?entry_id=395
March 29, 2005
The RP-US Exercise dubbed as Balance Piston 05-3 or Joint Combined Exchange Training (JCET) is set to open on April 11, 2005 in Basilan.
The exercise aims to improve interoperability and mil-to-mil relationships of both countries. The U.S. will provide training, security assistance, and cooperation in operations intelligence fusion with the AFP. It also intends to build community relations with the Basilan communities and increase public awareness of U.S. personnel presence in the province.
There will be 225 AFP personnel from the 32nd and 55th Infantry Battalions, and the Special Operations Command (SOCOM) of the Philippine Army and 30 US personnel from the US Special Forces (SF) Group (Airborne) who will participate in conduct of the exercise.
Two Medical Civic-Action Programs (MEDCAP) will also be conducted in Lamitan and Maluso towns in Basilan. Around 50 boxes of medical supplies will be transported to the province. MEDCAPs in Lamitan are scheduled on April 18-19 while MEDCAPs in Maluso are slated on April 21-22. The exercise will end on April 29, 2005.
http://www.afp.mil.ph/pio-crs/search2.php?entry_id=395
March 29, 2005
The RP-US Exercise dubbed as Balance Piston 05-3 or Joint Combined Exchange Training (JCET) is set to open on April 11, 2005 in Basilan.
The exercise aims to improve interoperability and mil-to-mil relationships of both countries. The U.S. will provide training, security assistance, and cooperation in operations intelligence fusion with the AFP. It also intends to build community relations with the Basilan communities and increase public awareness of U.S. personnel presence in the province.
There will be 225 AFP personnel from the 32nd and 55th Infantry Battalions, and the Special Operations Command (SOCOM) of the Philippine Army and 30 US personnel from the US Special Forces (SF) Group (Airborne) who will participate in conduct of the exercise.
Two Medical Civic-Action Programs (MEDCAP) will also be conducted in Lamitan and Maluso towns in Basilan. Around 50 boxes of medical supplies will be transported to the province. MEDCAPs in Lamitan are scheduled on April 18-19 while MEDCAPs in Maluso are slated on April 21-22. The exercise will end on April 29, 2005.
brassballs - June 8, 2005 04:55 AM (GMT)
to Weed Out Jemaah Islamiyah Militants, U.S. Admiral Says
Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff General Efren Abu, left, and Admiral William J. Fallon, Commander of the U.S. Pacific Command engage in a huddle during the Philippines-US Mutual Defense Board meeting Tuesday, June 7, 2005 at Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo in suburban Quezon City east of Manila. The 2005 Mutual Defense Board meeting marked another significant milestone in the Philippines-US strategic cooperation and provided an opportunity for the two countries to further mutual security interests. (AP Photo/Pat Roque)
MANILA, Philippines Jun 7, 2005 — Upcoming joint training exercises will combine military and humanitarian efforts to root out militants from the regional terror group Jemaah Islamiyah, top U.S. and Philippine military commanders said Tuesday.
"We note that throughout the region, some of these organizations, such as the JI, draw their support in areas where there is a lack of security … and they tend to take advantage of those," Adm. William Fallon, head of U.S. forces in the Pacific, told reporters in Manila.
He said the degree of U.S. support for Philippine military efforts "will, I think, go a long way to lessening any potential impact of the JI and their activities."
Fallon met with Philippine armed forces chief Gen. Efren Abu to draw up a list of this year's joint exercises and military and humanitarian projects that would help eliminate the threat of terrorism in the restive southern Philippines.
For several years, U.S. troops have been training Filipino soldiers fighting local al-Qaida-linked groups such as the Abu Sayyaf and Jemaah Islamiyah, which originated in Indonesia.
Philippine security forces have arrested several Indonesian terror suspects in the south this year, and officials say they suspect dozens of militants have graduated from their jungle training camps in recent months.
"As we all know, the JI threat is an emerging one," Abu said. "This is a problem that we will have to address squarely because the JI … has a long-term plan to expand and we are closely watching this.
"If we will deprive them of areas for base operations, it will be difficult for them to establish a foothold here."
A counterterrorism training exercise three years ago was credited with U.S.-backed offensives that dislodged Abu Sayyaf militants from southern Basilan island. U.S. and Philippine troops take part in about 20 exercises each year.
Copyright 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or
Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff General Efren Abu, left, and Admiral William J. Fallon, Commander of the U.S. Pacific Command engage in a huddle during the Philippines-US Mutual Defense Board meeting Tuesday, June 7, 2005 at Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo in suburban Quezon City east of Manila. The 2005 Mutual Defense Board meeting marked another significant milestone in the Philippines-US strategic cooperation and provided an opportunity for the two countries to further mutual security interests. (AP Photo/Pat Roque)
MANILA, Philippines Jun 7, 2005 — Upcoming joint training exercises will combine military and humanitarian efforts to root out militants from the regional terror group Jemaah Islamiyah, top U.S. and Philippine military commanders said Tuesday.
"We note that throughout the region, some of these organizations, such as the JI, draw their support in areas where there is a lack of security … and they tend to take advantage of those," Adm. William Fallon, head of U.S. forces in the Pacific, told reporters in Manila.
He said the degree of U.S. support for Philippine military efforts "will, I think, go a long way to lessening any potential impact of the JI and their activities."
Fallon met with Philippine armed forces chief Gen. Efren Abu to draw up a list of this year's joint exercises and military and humanitarian projects that would help eliminate the threat of terrorism in the restive southern Philippines.
For several years, U.S. troops have been training Filipino soldiers fighting local al-Qaida-linked groups such as the Abu Sayyaf and Jemaah Islamiyah, which originated in Indonesia.
Philippine security forces have arrested several Indonesian terror suspects in the south this year, and officials say they suspect dozens of militants have graduated from their jungle training camps in recent months.
"As we all know, the JI threat is an emerging one," Abu said. "This is a problem that we will have to address squarely because the JI … has a long-term plan to expand and we are closely watching this.
"If we will deprive them of areas for base operations, it will be difficult for them to establish a foothold here."
A counterterrorism training exercise three years ago was credited with U.S.-backed offensives that dislodged Abu Sayyaf militants from southern Basilan island. U.S. and Philippine troops take part in about 20 exercises each year.
Copyright 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or
flipzi - June 8, 2005 07:14 AM (GMT)
If they are underwriting half of the modernization fund just because of the JI concern, then probably all that we will get from this is really nothing much of the supply of ...
... boots, vest, NVG, rifles and ammos....and more training
NOW, FORGET ABOUT THE CORVETTES AND EVERYTHING ELSE. :armyroleyes:
Weird! One report said they were discussing the strategic plan in addressing the Chinese threat. :dontgetit:
... boots, vest, NVG, rifles and ammos....and more training
NOW, FORGET ABOUT THE CORVETTES AND EVERYTHING ELSE. :armyroleyes:
Weird! One report said they were discussing the strategic plan in addressing the Chinese threat. :dontgetit:
brassballs - June 9, 2005 05:53 AM (GMT)
| QUOTE (flipzi @ Jun 8 2005, 03:14 PM) |
| If they are underwriting half of the modernization fund just because of the JI concern, then probably all that we will get from this is really nothing much of the supply of ... ... boots, vest, NVG, rifles and ammos....and more training NOW, FORGET ABOUT THE CORVETTES AND EVERYTHING ELSE. :armyroleyes: Weird! One report said they were discussing the strategic plan in addressing the Chinese threat. :dontgetit: |
| QUOTE |
| ... boots, vest, NVG, rifles and ammos....and more training |
It is still a good boost for our grunts, the more training they get the less casualties and the more success our troops will get.Better boost their morale with better training and better equipments than building rooms in Boracay for alleged morale booster.
| QUOTE |
| Weird! One report said they were discussing the strategic plan in addressing the Chinese threat. :dontgetit |
It is smart to at least to know your perceived threats in the future.In discussing contingencies at least on paper you have your thoughts written down and your plan of action discussed.Despite the lack of equipments it is wise to be ready for the future so when the time comes if budget problems are tackled you will have at least in principle on how to build your armed forces from the ground up basing on your perceived threats. :aberet:
saver111 - August 16, 2005 08:43 AM (GMT)
US-RP war games start; 1,200 US troops arrive
SUBIC BAY FREEPORT--Five American vessels carrying around 1,200 American sailors docked at the Alava Pier here on Tuesday for a new round of joint Philippine-US marine exercises.
The American sailors will join this year’s naval exercise called Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT), an annual joint training activity between the naval forces of the Philippines and the United States.
A total of 800 Philippine Navy soldiers will be joining the event.
The US sailors arrived on board the USS Harpers Ferry, the guided missile destroyer USS Paul Hamilton, the guided missile frigate USS Rodney Davis, and the rescue and salvage ship USS Safeguard.
They came directly from the just-concluded CARAT exercises with the Royal Brunei Navy.
Heading this year's exercises are Philippine Navy Commodore Octavio Pabuayon and his counterpart from the US Navy, Rear Admiral Kevin Quinn of Task Force 712.
The week-long training, which will be held in various training sites in Manila, Zambales, and Palawan, will end on August 23.
The joint exercise aims to improve the military readiness and interoperability of each CARAT partner in a variety of mission areas of mutual benefit, said a statement released to media.
The Philippines is the last stop for the US’s six-phase CARAT training exercises for this year.
SUBIC BAY FREEPORT--Five American vessels carrying around 1,200 American sailors docked at the Alava Pier here on Tuesday for a new round of joint Philippine-US marine exercises.
The American sailors will join this year’s naval exercise called Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT), an annual joint training activity between the naval forces of the Philippines and the United States.
A total of 800 Philippine Navy soldiers will be joining the event.
The US sailors arrived on board the USS Harpers Ferry, the guided missile destroyer USS Paul Hamilton, the guided missile frigate USS Rodney Davis, and the rescue and salvage ship USS Safeguard.
They came directly from the just-concluded CARAT exercises with the Royal Brunei Navy.
Heading this year's exercises are Philippine Navy Commodore Octavio Pabuayon and his counterpart from the US Navy, Rear Admiral Kevin Quinn of Task Force 712.
The week-long training, which will be held in various training sites in Manila, Zambales, and Palawan, will end on August 23.
The joint exercise aims to improve the military readiness and interoperability of each CARAT partner in a variety of mission areas of mutual benefit, said a statement released to media.
The Philippines is the last stop for the US’s six-phase CARAT training exercises for this year.
fieldmouse - August 16, 2005 10:13 AM (GMT)
link please :armyroleyes:
saver111 - August 16, 2005 11:13 AM (GMT)
Ooops! :armyredface: http://news.inq7.net/breaking/index.php?in...&story_id=47092
Kookie - August 16, 2005 11:16 AM (GMT)
good training for our Marines and SWAG (SOG?) :snipemo:
GKB02 - August 20, 2005 03:37 PM (GMT)
Marines fare well in amphibious assault exercise
First posted 07:43pm (Mla time) Aug 20, 2005
By Anthony Deleon
INQ7.net
SUBIC BAY FREEPORT -- Members of the First Marine Batallion of the Philippine Navy did well with excellent time and execution in the amphibious assault exercise held at the Naval Education and Training Center in San Antonio, Zambales, their American counterparts said Saturday.
The exercise was part of the ongoing Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training 2005, or CARAT, which is an annual bilateral exercise between the US and Philippine Navy.
For the exercise in Zambales, members of the Philippine Marines boarded the USS Harpers Ferry, a dock landing ship, and were made to attempt a beach landing and assault using an LCAG Amphibious Assault Vehicle.
According to Lieutenant Chuck Bell, US Navy press officer, the local marines did very well in the exercise and were able to execute the activity with excellent ratings.
"We are very impressed with the execution made by the Philippine Marines. They were able to make a good landing with the LCAG and assume a good assault position," he said.
Bell said that one of the major concerns the exercises are addressing this year is the growing problem of maritime terrorism.
"Maritime terrorism has become a pressing issue here in the Southeast Asian region. Some of the exercises we have executed have been carefully designed on how to react upon instances of piracy and sea robberies, " he said.
American ships that docked in Subic for CARAT are the USS Harpers Ferry, the USS Paul Hamilton, the USS Rodney M. Davis, and the USS Safeguard. The US Naval ships have just come fresh from the completion of CARAT exercises with the Royal Brunei Navy.
The USS Rodney M. Davis and the USS Safeguard are both amphibious assault ships, while the USS Paul Hamilton is a guided missile destroyer and the USS Harpers Ferry is a dock landing ship.
A total of 2,000 Naval officers and enlisted personnel coming from both the US and the Philippine navy are participating in this year's exercise.
:pushup: :salute:
First posted 07:43pm (Mla time) Aug 20, 2005
By Anthony Deleon
INQ7.net
SUBIC BAY FREEPORT -- Members of the First Marine Batallion of the Philippine Navy did well with excellent time and execution in the amphibious assault exercise held at the Naval Education and Training Center in San Antonio, Zambales, their American counterparts said Saturday.
The exercise was part of the ongoing Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training 2005, or CARAT, which is an annual bilateral exercise between the US and Philippine Navy.
For the exercise in Zambales, members of the Philippine Marines boarded the USS Harpers Ferry, a dock landing ship, and were made to attempt a beach landing and assault using an LCAG Amphibious Assault Vehicle.
According to Lieutenant Chuck Bell, US Navy press officer, the local marines did very well in the exercise and were able to execute the activity with excellent ratings.
"We are very impressed with the execution made by the Philippine Marines. They were able to make a good landing with the LCAG and assume a good assault position," he said.
Bell said that one of the major concerns the exercises are addressing this year is the growing problem of maritime terrorism.
"Maritime terrorism has become a pressing issue here in the Southeast Asian region. Some of the exercises we have executed have been carefully designed on how to react upon instances of piracy and sea robberies, " he said.
American ships that docked in Subic for CARAT are the USS Harpers Ferry, the USS Paul Hamilton, the USS Rodney M. Davis, and the USS Safeguard. The US Naval ships have just come fresh from the completion of CARAT exercises with the Royal Brunei Navy.
The USS Rodney M. Davis and the USS Safeguard are both amphibious assault ships, while the USS Paul Hamilton is a guided missile destroyer and the USS Harpers Ferry is a dock landing ship.
A total of 2,000 Naval officers and enlisted personnel coming from both the US and the Philippine navy are participating in this year's exercise.
:pushup: :salute:
jammerjamesky - October 14, 2005 06:17 PM (GMT)
4,500 US troops in RP for war gamesBy Jaime Laude
The Philippine Star 10/15/2005
Philippine and American troops opened joint training exercises yesterday aimed at strengthening the Philippines’ fight against terrorism.
Over the next two weeks, 4,500 US Marines and sailors from Okinawa, Japan will join up to 700 Filipino soldiers in the annual training maneuvers, called the "Talon Vision and Amphibious Landing Exercises."
"It’s not necessarily a counterterrorism exercise," US Marine Capt. Burrell Parmer told The STAR.
But skills acquired by Philippine troops in the course of the war games could be used against terrorists, said Burrell, public affairs officer of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, which has 2,000 troops participating in the war games.
The US Navy’s Task Force 76 and Amphibious Squadron 11 have 2,500 sailors in the exercises, Burrell said.
Officials of the Armed Forces of the Philippines said the joint exercises will polish the counterterrorism skills of participating Filipino troops.
Joint exercises by the two countries have taken on greater urgency in recent years as the AFP has launched US-backed offensives against al-Qaeda-linked groups in Mindanao.
"The exercises are designed to improve interoperability, increase readiness and continue the professional relationship between the United States and Philippine armed forces," Philippine Marine spokesman Maj. Melquiades Ordiales said in a statement, as the two forces held the opening ceremony for the exercises at the Marine headquarters at Fort Bonifacio in Taguig.
Parmer said Talon events will be held across Luzon, including the former US air base in Clark Field in Pampanga and Crow Valley in Tarlac. Amphibious landing exercises will be held in Ternate, Cavite.
There will also be training activities in the jungle areas of Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija and the mountains and beaches of San Miguel in Zambales.
Parmer said the month-long exercises will include medical and civic action programs to be undertaken by US troops. There will be engineering activities in Ternate. US troops will also donate computers to several high schools.
Held under the aegis of the RP-US Mutual Defense Treaty, military exercises between the two countries have increased amid an upsurge of terrorist attacks in Metro Manila and Mindanao.
The latest war games will include contingents from the Philippine Air Force, who are being trained as ground combatants due to the PAF’s lack of aircraft.
US forces have been providing intelligence support and supplying communications to Filipino troops hunting down Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) and Abu Sayyaf terrorists.
Security officials say two Malaysian masterminds of the nightclub bombings that killed 202 people on the Indonesian island of Bali in October 2002 have been sighted in Maguindanao in the company of Abu Sayyaf chieftain Khadaffy Janjalani.
The US government has offered a bounty of $10 million for the capture of one of the Malaysians, Dulmatin, and $1 million for Umar Patek. The two men are believed to be members of JI.
In 1992 the Philippine Senate voted to shut down the US bases at Clark Field and Subic Bay. US troops returned to the country in 2002 as the Philippines expressed support for the US-led war on terror.
In three-month war games dubbed Balikatan 2002, US troops helped the AFP flush out Abu Sayyaf guerrillas from their base in Basilan. The guerrillas fled with two American missionaries and a Filipina nurse in tow. The nurse and one of the Americans were killed in an encounter between Philippine troops and the Abu Sayyaf kidnappers.
Janjalani managed to flee Basilan before the start of the war games. But the group’s flamboyant spokesman Aldam Tilao, alias Abu Sabaya, was later killed in an encounter with Philippine troops in the waters off the Zamboanga peninsula. — With AP
The Philippine Star 10/15/2005
Philippine and American troops opened joint training exercises yesterday aimed at strengthening the Philippines’ fight against terrorism.
Over the next two weeks, 4,500 US Marines and sailors from Okinawa, Japan will join up to 700 Filipino soldiers in the annual training maneuvers, called the "Talon Vision and Amphibious Landing Exercises."
"It’s not necessarily a counterterrorism exercise," US Marine Capt. Burrell Parmer told The STAR.
But skills acquired by Philippine troops in the course of the war games could be used against terrorists, said Burrell, public affairs officer of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, which has 2,000 troops participating in the war games.
The US Navy’s Task Force 76 and Amphibious Squadron 11 have 2,500 sailors in the exercises, Burrell said.
Officials of the Armed Forces of the Philippines said the joint exercises will polish the counterterrorism skills of participating Filipino troops.
Joint exercises by the two countries have taken on greater urgency in recent years as the AFP has launched US-backed offensives against al-Qaeda-linked groups in Mindanao.
"The exercises are designed to improve interoperability, increase readiness and continue the professional relationship between the United States and Philippine armed forces," Philippine Marine spokesman Maj. Melquiades Ordiales said in a statement, as the two forces held the opening ceremony for the exercises at the Marine headquarters at Fort Bonifacio in Taguig.
Parmer said Talon events will be held across Luzon, including the former US air base in Clark Field in Pampanga and Crow Valley in Tarlac. Amphibious landing exercises will be held in Ternate, Cavite.
There will also be training activities in the jungle areas of Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija and the mountains and beaches of San Miguel in Zambales.
Parmer said the month-long exercises will include medical and civic action programs to be undertaken by US troops. There will be engineering activities in Ternate. US troops will also donate computers to several high schools.
Held under the aegis of the RP-US Mutual Defense Treaty, military exercises between the two countries have increased amid an upsurge of terrorist attacks in Metro Manila and Mindanao.
The latest war games will include contingents from the Philippine Air Force, who are being trained as ground combatants due to the PAF’s lack of aircraft.
US forces have been providing intelligence support and supplying communications to Filipino troops hunting down Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) and Abu Sayyaf terrorists.
Security officials say two Malaysian masterminds of the nightclub bombings that killed 202 people on the Indonesian island of Bali in October 2002 have been sighted in Maguindanao in the company of Abu Sayyaf chieftain Khadaffy Janjalani.
The US government has offered a bounty of $10 million for the capture of one of the Malaysians, Dulmatin, and $1 million for Umar Patek. The two men are believed to be members of JI.
In 1992 the Philippine Senate voted to shut down the US bases at Clark Field and Subic Bay. US troops returned to the country in 2002 as the Philippines expressed support for the US-led war on terror.
In three-month war games dubbed Balikatan 2002, US troops helped the AFP flush out Abu Sayyaf guerrillas from their base in Basilan. The guerrillas fled with two American missionaries and a Filipina nurse in tow. The nurse and one of the Americans were killed in an encounter between Philippine troops and the Abu Sayyaf kidnappers.
Janjalani managed to flee Basilan before the start of the war games. But the group’s flamboyant spokesman Aldam Tilao, alias Abu Sabaya, was later killed in an encounter with Philippine troops in the waters off the Zamboanga peninsula. — With AP
Skychaser - October 14, 2005 06:32 PM (GMT)
Could only dig up this and similar ones at the moment. :\
Philippine Marines Gen. Romeo Abayan, right, Filipino exercise director and his counterpart U.S. Marines Col. Walter Miller enter the room during the opening ceremonies for two RP-US joint military exercise called the 'Talon Vision 06' and PHIBLEX 06 or the Amphibious Landing Exercise 06, Friday, Oct. 14, 2005 at the Marine headquarter in suburban Taguig, south of Manila. The exercise which will be participated by some 4,500 US Marines and sailors together with 700 Filipino soldiers.
Philippine Marines Gen. Romeo Abayan, right, Filipino exercise director and his counterpart U.S. Marines Col. Walter Miller enter the room during the opening ceremonies for two RP-US joint military exercise called the 'Talon Vision 06' and PHIBLEX 06 or the Amphibious Landing Exercise 06, Friday, Oct. 14, 2005 at the Marine headquarter in suburban Taguig, south of Manila. The exercise which will be participated by some 4,500 US Marines and sailors together with 700 Filipino soldiers.
jammerjamesky - October 14, 2005 06:57 PM (GMT)
GKB02 - October 15, 2005 11:49 AM (GMT)
nice!! :specool: MORE PICS PLS... TY
el_commandante - October 15, 2005 03:44 PM (GMT)
| QUOTE |
| The latest war games will include contingents from the Philippine Air Force, who are being trained as ground combatants due to the PAF’s lack of aircraft. |
This is too much! :headbang:
jammerjamesky - October 15, 2005 03:57 PM (GMT)
Too much to for our government legislators already and blundered by their own political insterest.Its sad to see that one's of Asias mighest defense forces before is already deteriorating from time to time. the need of a new bird in the PAF is needed already.
jammerjamesky - October 15, 2005 04:25 PM (GMT)
valiant - October 16, 2005 02:45 AM (GMT)
| QUOTE (el_commandante @ Oct 15 2005, 11:44 PM) | ||
This is too much! :headbang: |
I wonder how the airmen feel about this - them becoming groundpounders. But then, the AFP ought to find some use of them or else they get "rationalized". :demon:
hughdotoh - October 17, 2005 08:30 AM (GMT)
If airmen are being trained to be infantry, it doesn't mean all bad. In fact, as far as the USMC is concerned, everyone who serves is a rifleman. Hence, if things become desperate, there is a pool of ready riflemen/infantrymen to hold the line.
In our cash-strapped country, airmen-infantrymen ought to mean a more well-rounded martial orientation.
On the other hand, thanks to the likes of that cowardly Senate imposed on us, we have nothing better to do than train more infantrymen, and half-equipped at that.
In our cash-strapped country, airmen-infantrymen ought to mean a more well-rounded martial orientation.
On the other hand, thanks to the likes of that cowardly Senate imposed on us, we have nothing better to do than train more infantrymen, and half-equipped at that.