The military carried out an airlift operation exercise in San Antonio, Zambales, as part of the ongoing war games involving its land, sea and air forces in a drill that could respond to any scenario in the West Philippine Sea.
During the exercise, the Navy’s naval helicopter 432 also showcased its Vertical Replenishment (VERTREP) capability by using the cargo hook suspension system under the amphibious operations component of the “AJEX DAGIT-PA,” which involved the military’s major armed services.
The Navy’s helicopter carried out the exercise on BRP Tarlac, which was stationed 1.3 nautical miles, west of Capones Grande.
AJEX DAGIT-PA Exercise Director Maj. Gen. Edgard Arevalo said the VERTREP capability is vital in operations especially when ground and water transports for armed units are nearly impossible.
The exercise can be employed for ship-to-ship reprovision and replenishment of units especially for those who are currently stationed in the West Philippine Sea.
It is most needed in situations and in mission areas when the transfer of cargo and other provisions and logistical requirements is more practical than landing a helicopter on deck.
During the amphibious operations training, several drills were also taken, including BRP Davao del Sur’s flight deck operation with the Navy’s Augusta Westland AW-109 helicopters.
Davao del Sur also carried out well deck operations involving the embarkation of assault amphibious vehicles of the Philippine Marine Corps.
The amphibious forces also completed its final meeting of units to synchronize efforts in preparation for the Amphibious Assault Operation on December 1.
“The December 1 schedule of events for AJEX DAGIT-PA is the highlight of this year’s iteration of the exercise. It will test some of the AFP’s [Armed Forces of the Philippines] capabilities and competencies in amphibious operations given the sea, air, and land assets made available,” said Arevalo who is also the military’s spokesman and the current commander of the AFP Education, Training and Doctrine Command.
“Territorial defense capability will also be tested on the same day involving a different set of participants. The learning outcome will impact on the existing doctrines and those that are being developed. While we continue to modernize, our techniques, tactics and procedures [TTPs] we likewise ensure that our doctrines are continuously updated and developed,” he added.
The AFP is honing its proficiency in sea to land operations under its ongoing war games, and this include its ability to seize a littoral objective in a scenario of an island defense deploying land, sea and air assets.
Arevalo said the AJEX DAGIT-PA, which was launched on November 23, was taken to further enhance the joint force inter-operability and cohesiveness of the AFP across defense mission areas and elevate its operational effectiveness in contingencies concerning maritime security, territorial defense, counterterrorism and natural disasters and calamities.