By Martin Sadongdong
FLORIDABLANCA, Pampanga - About 500 paratroopers from the Philippine and United States armies participated in the first large-scale airborne operations exercise between the two countries here at Basa Air Base on Sunday.
‘FRIENDSHIP JUMP’ – Philippine and United States paratroopers spill out of a C130 plane during a 'friendship jump' Sunday at Basa Airbase in Floridablanca, Pampanga. The airborne exercise aims to build up the capabilities of Philippine and American troops for joint airborne operations. (Jansen Romero / MANILA BULLETIN)
With their 75-pound fully deployed parachutes on full display against the clear skies serving as a backdrop, the paratroopers masterfully maneuvered themselves after simultaneously jumping from four C1-30 transport planes at the height of 1,200 feet to their drop zones.
Lt. Gen. Macairog Alberto, commanding general of the Philippine Army, said the one-day exercise was aimed at testing their capability to conduct airborne operations with their counterpart from the US.
"This training will enhance our troops' technical expertise in airborne operations, enabling our combat units to better respond to future contingency operations and other security challenges," he said.
For his part, Brig. Gen. Gregory Day, Army National Guard deputy commanding general for US Army Alaska, said such type of combined, tactical-level training "builds both forces' technical competence, fosters interoperability and provides a greater understanding of how the allied nations' forces conduct operations."
"The Philippines is one of our most important friends, allies, and partners in the region. In order for us to work together effectively, it's important that we train together," Day said.
Airborne operations are usually being conducted when troops can't penetrate a target area by means of land or water operation.
However, Army airborne operations are not commonly used by the military in the Philippine setting because of lack of equipment and material.
Even during the exercise, the planes and parachutes utilized by the participating paratroopers were from the United States.
Alberto said that they were continuously upgrading their air assets and equipment to be able to hold such exercises by themselves in the future.
Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala, Army spokesman, said the large-scale airborne operations were the first of its kind done in the Philippines since World War II.
"The last large-scale airborne operations done on the Philippine soil was back in World War II by the American forces themselves. An estimated 700 troops raided Los Baños, and 1,000 troops in the retaking of Corregidor Island in 1945," he said.
In the Philippine setting, the last time the Army's airborne operations unit was tapped was in the 1970s counter-insurgency operations in Mindanao but only a small unit was utilized back then.
It was not followed ever since because most operations were carried out through land and water-based operations, as far as the army is concerned.
But Zagala said it is important that the army soldiers are equipped with knowledge in airborne operations since one can never know when the skill is needed.
The Philippines and US have long been allies, with the relationship of its militaries further fortified by the signing of the 1959 Mutual Defense Treaty.
"The whole nature of the MDT is to protect the Philippine territory," Zagala said.
"This exercise is our way to prepare for any eventualities as a country," he concluded.
‘FRIENDSHIP JUMP’ – Philippine and United States paratroopers spill out of a C130 plane during a 'friendship jump' Sunday at Basa Airbase in Floridablanca, Pampanga. The airborne exercise aims to build up the capabilities of Philippine and American troops for joint airborne operations. (Jansen Romero / MANILA BULLETIN)
With their 75-pound fully deployed parachutes on full display against the clear skies serving as a backdrop, the paratroopers masterfully maneuvered themselves after simultaneously jumping from four C1-30 transport planes at the height of 1,200 feet to their drop zones.
Lt. Gen. Macairog Alberto, commanding general of the Philippine Army, said the one-day exercise was aimed at testing their capability to conduct airborne operations with their counterpart from the US.
"This training will enhance our troops' technical expertise in airborne operations, enabling our combat units to better respond to future contingency operations and other security challenges," he said.
For his part, Brig. Gen. Gregory Day, Army National Guard deputy commanding general for US Army Alaska, said such type of combined, tactical-level training "builds both forces' technical competence, fosters interoperability and provides a greater understanding of how the allied nations' forces conduct operations."
"The Philippines is one of our most important friends, allies, and partners in the region. In order for us to work together effectively, it's important that we train together," Day said.
Airborne operations are usually being conducted when troops can't penetrate a target area by means of land or water operation.
However, Army airborne operations are not commonly used by the military in the Philippine setting because of lack of equipment and material.
Even during the exercise, the planes and parachutes utilized by the participating paratroopers were from the United States.
Alberto said that they were continuously upgrading their air assets and equipment to be able to hold such exercises by themselves in the future.
Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala, Army spokesman, said the large-scale airborne operations were the first of its kind done in the Philippines since World War II.
"The last large-scale airborne operations done on the Philippine soil was back in World War II by the American forces themselves. An estimated 700 troops raided Los Baños, and 1,000 troops in the retaking of Corregidor Island in 1945," he said.
In the Philippine setting, the last time the Army's airborne operations unit was tapped was in the 1970s counter-insurgency operations in Mindanao but only a small unit was utilized back then.
It was not followed ever since because most operations were carried out through land and water-based operations, as far as the army is concerned.
But Zagala said it is important that the army soldiers are equipped with knowledge in airborne operations since one can never know when the skill is needed.
The Philippines and US have long been allies, with the relationship of its militaries further fortified by the signing of the 1959 Mutual Defense Treaty.
"The whole nature of the MDT is to protect the Philippine territory," Zagala said.
"This exercise is our way to prepare for any eventualities as a country," he concluded.