PH Army Activates Aviation, Rocket, Missile Units

04 Oktober 2019

Philippine Army's plan to introduce more aviation assets including light attack helicopters, reconnaissance helicopters, multipurpose medium helicopters, and others (photo : Philippine Army)

MANILA -- The Philippine Army (PA) activated its Aviation “Bagwis” Regiment (Provisional) AvnR (P)), 2nd Multiple Launch Rocket System Battery (2MLRS Btry) and 1st Land-based Missile System Battery (1LBMS Btry) in Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija Thursday.

Present during activation and assumption of command of the three units was PA chief, Lt. Gen. Macairog S. Alberto, Army spokesperson, Lt. Col. Ramon Zagala said in a statement.

The AvnR (P) will be commanded by Col. Jesus Rico D. Atencio while the 2MLRS Btry will be headed by Maj. Junel D. Uden and the 1LBMS Btry by Maj. Edgardo B. Ocampo.

Zagala said activation of the said units aims to strengthen the PA's defense against current, emerging and future threats. These units will play a vital role in the Army’s fight against terrorism and the communist insurgency.

The Army Aviation Battalion has been upgraded to the AvnR (P). It will be maintaining its current fleet of fixed-wing aircraft for special aviation mission while it develops its capabilities in armed reconnaissance, air assault and air medical evacuation by utilizing rotary wing aircraft.

Zagala said AvnR (P) will allow Army forces to be agile, lethal and versatile.

Philippine Army is expected to receive three batteries K136 Kooryong MLRS of 6 firing units each (photo : quora)

“We will be acquiring light attack helicopters, armed reconnaissance helicopters, and multi-purpose medium lift helicopters. Through the upgraded Army Aviation Regiment as an integral component of our combined arms operations, our Army will have the capability to conduct a better array of aviation operations to support ground forces and be more responsive in the archipelagic setting in the defense posture,” Alberto said.

On the other hand, the 2MLRS Btry and the 1LBMS Btry under the Army Artillery Regiment (AAR) will help augment the troop’s firepower in large-scale armed confrontation for internal defense and security engagements.

The activation of the two AAR regiment is in line with the Army’s development of air defense units and missile units.

The air defense units will protect the force against air threats while the missile units aim to deny areas of enemy approach as well as suppress their air capabilities.

“We put primacy on the activation of these units in order to continuously enhance our aviation and air defense capability as we operate with the intent to be a modern and well-equipped Army, to address fast-evolving threats and finish the insurgency at the soonest time possible,” Alberto added. 

(PNA)