The Philippine Army’s Artillery Regiment held live fire drills in Maguindanao on Tuesday using howitzers as it tested its new weapons and sharpened troop skills.
The live fire exercises were conducted by the regiment’s 6th Field Artillery “Deadly Accurate” Battalion at Barangay Masalay in Ampatuan and Barangay Meta in Datu Unsay, both in Maguindanao.
Army Commanding General Lt. Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. has been beefing up the firepower of the Army and strengthening its units and their capabilities.
Two of the units, the Artillery Regiment and the Army Aviation, have seen modest improvements, both in firepower and manpower during the past months.
Army spokesman Col. Xerxes Trinidad said the 6th Field Artillery Battalion tested a newly rebarreled howitzer, registered two guns and evaluated the proficiency of the gunnery crew during the live fire exercise.
He said a total of 30 105mm high-explosive rounds were fired in high angle and low angle shots with low and maximum charges to simulate various crisis scenarios.
The Army spokesman said the Artillery Regiment is implementing a certification program for gunners and assistant gunners prior to deployment at firing lines.
Field artillerymen also undergo re-certification before handling actual operations.