PH Navy, Air Force prepare for Apec summit in joint drills
This photo is taken inside the cockpit of an S-211 jet while on an integrated air defense scenario where a Philippine Navy Islander aircraft is intercepted over Zambales during the joint Air Force and Navy drills. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE PHILIPPINE AIR FORCE
Security preparations for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit (Apec) summit in November are part of the two-week Philippine Navy and Air Force joint military exercises that will conclude on Friday.
Air Force spokesperson Col. Enrico Canaya said integrated air defense, maritime security, search and rescue and joint warfare capabilities were part of the drills aimed to strengthen the interoperability of the Navy and Air Force.
“Because the visit of heads of state are near, we included in the exercises the preparations for the Apec,” Canaya said.
The “Dagit 2015” drills were held at the Naval Base Heracleo Alano in Sangley Point, Cavite, Marine Barracks Gregorio Lim in Ternate, Cavite, and within Manila Bay and Caballo Island.
The closing ceremony will be held at the 15th Strike Wing in Sangley Point.
About 200 Air Force personnel and 150 Navy sailors participated in the drills.
Navy assets that joined the exercises were an Islander plane, an AW109E helicopter, frigate BRP Gregorio del Pilar, boat teams and SEAL teams of the Naval Special Operations Group, a sniper team of the Marines Special Operations Group, a medical team.
Some of the Air Force assets in the activity were S-211 jets, S-76 Air Ambulance, Sokol rescue helicopter, UH-1H and UH-1D and C-130.
The Dagit drills, which started in 2007 and are participated in by all-Filipino troops and equipment, help both major services improve their joint training, rules of engagement, techniques, tactics, and procedures.
This year marks the first time the one-week activity is extended to two weeks and night operations are added to the drills.
AFP Vice Chief Lt. Gen. Edgar Fallorina told reporters they had no information yet on security threats for the upcoming Apec summit.
“I can’t say yet. We have no information on that,” he said. Frances Mangosing/RC
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