PH Fleet holds series of warfighting exercises

THE PHILIPPINE  Fleet, the primary unit of the Philippine Navy (PN), will hold a series of exercises aimed at boosting its warfighting capabilities.  

In a statement Monday night, Lt. Commander Ryan Luna, Philippine Fleet spokesperson, said the "Exercise Pagbubuklod" officially opened on Monday and will be held at the Sangley Point and Ternate, Cavite and the approaches of Manila Bay until Sept. 17.

"These forces will conduct joint Amphibious Planning and Field Training exercises (FTX) on land and at sea. 'Exercise Pagbubuklod' focuses on the Command's thrust of validating organizational structure, concepts of operations, and published doctrines to address the current and future scenario in the operational areas," he added.

"Exercise Pagbubuklod" is an annual maritime exercise conducted by the Philippine Fleet aimed at further enhancing the interoperability and readiness of PN units in order to address traditional and non-traditional threats.

Among the major exercises which will be conducted are the maritime interdiction operation with high angle sniping, amphibious air support, maritime air surveillance/intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance, maritime search and rescue, and high-risk visit, board, search and seizure.

Also included are amphibious assault/raid, insertion/extraction, amphibious sealift, tactical sealift, force protection capability, support and sustainment, afloat command and control, gunnery exercise, shipboard helicopter operations (HELOPS), and casualty evacuation operation (CASEVAC).

He added that all face-to-face activities during the "Exercise Pagbubuklod" will be carried out with strict adherence to health protocols set by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases.

Luna said participants were also tested and certified as free from Covid-19 by authorized medical professionals and units prior to the start of all activities.

He added that all medical interventions and health protocols will be implemented during the conduct of the exercise.

"Medical services will also be provided to all personnel of the different component forces. Those who will manifest Covid-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) symptoms will be immediately pulled out from the exercise to be evacuated to the nearest military treatment facility for evaluation," Luna said. (Priam Nepomuceno)