Photo By Staff Sgt. Ariel Solomon | Armed Forces of the Philippines and U.S. Soldiers participate in an observer...... read more read more
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Philippine and U.S. Soldiers trained side-by-side to be observer controllers (OC) in preparation for Exercise Balikatan 2019 at Fort Magsaysay, March 13, 2019.
OCs from both countries will work together to provide as realistic a training environment as possible, as well as provide feedback on how each element handles scenarios during Balikatan. In short, they will provide both referees and coaches to the exercise. This is especially important for the Armed Forces of the Philippines 1st Brigade Combat Team as the soldiers within the brigade learn to maximize the effectiveness of their first BCT.
“We’re training various systems for interoperability with the U.S.,” said Capt. Vincent Belany, a planner with 196th Training Support Brigade in support of the Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Capability, U.S. Army. “Balikatan specifically is helping them set up their 1st Brigade Combat Team in order to...promote their own national security.”
The BCT model contains all the elements a deploying unit needs to remain in the fight. It incorporates a maneuver element, which is usually mechanized infantry, artillery, and support elements to keep the Soldiers fed, armed and ready to fight. The current model adopted by the Philippine Army was developed through lessons learned over roughly the last two decades.
“In this bilateral exercise, OC training is helpful because we gain input from our U.S. counterparts,” said Maj. Saturnino F. Enofre, officer in charge of the Land Warfare Center, Training and Doctrine Command, Philippine Army. “It is very useful in training and ensuring safety within the exercise area, along with other benefits.”
The Soldiers of both nations will learn to operate side-by-side. This is especially important for the OCs who will have to coach Soldiers on either side on the event.
“I feel anxious because it is my first time interacting with U.S. Soldiers and it is important that we learn to interact and come together,” said Capt. Rhoderick C. Oporto, OC for Training and Doctrine Command, Philippine Army. “This training is very good for us as Soldiers in the Philippine Army to work with U.S. counterparts as it builds confidence when we interact with other countries. We will be working with our allies, the U.S., or some other country in the future.”
| Date Taken: | 03.13.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 04.17.2019 12:17 |
| Story ID: | 314308 |
| Location: | FORT MAGSAYSAY, PH |
| Web Views: | 43 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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