The United States deployed 1300 of its troops in the Philippines for the Salaknib exercises, a Philippine Army official reported.
The ongoing Salaknib exercises, deemed as “very successful in conduct” by the Philippine Army, is an annual bilateral exercise led by the Philippines and sponsored by the US Army Pacific (USARPAC).
Scheduled to conclude in September, the event is designed to enhance the US and Philippine Army’s capacity and interoperability across the spectrum of military operations.
Philippine Army Spokesperson Colonel Louie Dema-ala said that there are 1800 troops hailing from the Philippine Army who were involved in the said exercises.
“Very successful yung conduct of Salaknib Phase 1 and 2, likewise, ongoing ang mga subject matter expert exchange (small training activities) between Philippine Army and USARPAC,” Dema-ala told Manila Standard.
On Thursday, Dema-ala clarified that the powerful mid-range missile system that Washington deployed to the Philippines in April for the Balikatan joint exercises will remain in the country until the conclusion of Salaknib Phase 2 in September.
Dema-ala told Manila Standard that deployment or redeployment of the Typhon missile system will still depend if the training objectives of Salaknib had been met.
The ground-based mid-range capability (MRC) that could launch Tomahawk and SM-6 missiles was also used for a simulated firing drill during a bilateral exercise in the South China Sea in May.
Among the 1800 troops of the Army, around 40 of them who are part of Army Artillery Regiment (AAR) were directly trained for the said missile system.
“As of now, almost 40 personnel ang directly trained sa MRC and similar training will be conducted as planned.” He said.
Other Philippine Army personnels were involved in Salaknib exercises came from different units specifically in 5th and 7th Infantry Division and support personnel from Training and Doctrine Command and Philippine Army Headquarters in Taguig City.
Aside from MRC training, other Salaknib activities were various Subject Matter Expert Exchange (SMEE) across different warfighting functions, Division and Brigade Size Staff Exercises (table-top) and Reserve Force training (platoon exercises).
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