INTEROPERABILITY. The AW-159 ‘Wildcat’ helicopter, tail number NH-441, was used in medical evacuation drills during the ‘Pagbubuklod, Pagsisikap, and Pagsasama 2024’ exercise, as shown in an undated photo. The exercise involved various complex maneuvers and live-fire drills, demonstrating the tactical precision and operational coordination of different naval units. (Photo courtesy of the Philippine Fleet)
MANILA – The Philippine Fleet (PF) announced on Friday that the sea phase of its interoperability exercise, involving marine and reservist units, concluded successfully on Thursday.
Lt. Giovanni Badidles, the chief of the PF public affairs office, stated that the unified service exercises named ‘Pagbubuklod, Pagsasama, and Pagsisikap’ were conducted smoothly from November 29 to December 5.
The exercises were held around Manila Bay, Naval Operating Base Subic, Naval Forces Southern Luzon, Naval Forces Central, and Naval Forces West.
According to Badidles, this phase of the exercise demonstrated operational capabilities through extensive training operations that made use of a wide range of Philippine Navy (PN) assets and personnel. These included frigates, landing docks, fast attack interdiction crafts, unmanned aerial systems (UAS), as well as the Marine Battalion Landing Team, Naval Construction Brigade, and PN reservists.
The participating units executed a variety of complex maneuvers and live-fire drills, showcasing the tactical precision and operational synergy of different naval capabilities.
Badidles highlighted that the key areas of focus during the exercises included intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), over-the-horizon targeting (OTHT), swarming tactics and choke point defense, anti-surface warfare (ASuW), anti-submarine warfare (ASW), electronic warfare (EW), replenishment-at-sea approaches (RAS), gunnery exercises (gunnex), anti-air warfare (AAW), mine warfare, and submarine warfare. These exercises tested the fleet’s ability to respond effectively to a variety of maritime threats, both conventional and asymmetric.
Badidles emphasized that the inaugural integrated unilateral exercises of the PN underscore the Navy’s commitment to maintaining and enhancing its reputation as a credible and capable maritime force.
He further noted that these exercises demonstrate the PF’s dedication to defending national sovereignty and promoting regional stability by integrating traditional naval warfare skills with advanced technology and well-coordinated strategies.
The ‘Pagbubuklod, Pagsasama, and Pagsisikap 2024’ exercise was launched on November 28 aboard the BRP Tarlac (LD-601) at the Naval Operating Base Subic in Zambales.
The closing ceremony for the two-week drills is scheduled for Saturday. (PNA)