Successful Conclusion of Joint Inter-Operability Exercise 5 “Amphibious Operations”

22 November 2021

Amphibious Operations Exercise at Panay Island 2021 (all photos : PN)

Headquarters, Naval Forces Central (HNFC) – Armed Forces of the Philippines, through the Philippine Navy and Naval Forces Central, spearheaded the Amphibious Operations Exercise at Antique Province, Panay Island on November 18, 2021.

Present during the event are the following distinguished visitors: Hon. Rhodora “Dodod” J Cadiao, Governor of Antique; Hon. Johnny Flores S Bacongallo, Vice Mayor of  Patnongon, Antique; MGEN ROBERT C DAUZ PA, Commander, Visayas Command; MGEN BENEDICT M AREVALO PA, Commander, 3rd Infantry Division; MGEN FRANCISCO ARIEL A FELICIDARIO III PA, Commander of AFPETDC and Exercise Director, AJEX “DAGIT-PA” 05-2021; BGEN FERNANDO M REYEG PA, AJ8, AFP; BGEN MARION R SISON PA, Commander, 301st Infantry Brigade; CAPT RAUL A REGIS PN(GSC), Acting Commander, Naval Forces Central and Commander Amphibious Forces, AJEX “DAGIT-PA” 05-21; LTCOL HAROLD E GARCIA INF(GSC) PA, Commander, 61st Infantry Battalion; COL MICHAEL G LOGICO PA(MNSA), Executive Assistant; PCOL ROY B PARENA, Provincial Director, Antique Police Provincial Office; and PLTCOL ANGELO C PUEBLOS, Deputy Provincial Director for Operations.

Amphibious Operations is a military operation launched from the sea by an Amphibious Force (AF) to conduct landing force operations within the littorals. The littorals include those land areas that are predominantly susceptible to engagement and influence from the sea and may reach far inland.

This event seeks to develop the military’s skills, techniques and capabilities during rapid deployment of troops from ship to shore whether under hazardous circumstances or during natural disasters or hostile enemy actions. It aims to enhance the joint interoperability of the AFP units in the conduct of amphibious operations.

This type of operation requires the unique ability to operate across air, land, and sea. It needs integrated Command and Control (C2) to achieve unity of effort, increased speed of action, and coordinated application of sea control and power projection capabilities.

The exercise involves a series of events from mission planning on board PN ship LD601, launching of troops through Amphibious Assault Vehicles (AAVs), Landing Craft Utility (LCUs), rubber boats; simulation of air reconnaissance, insertion, and sustainment operations/follow-on forces.

The amphibious operations took place at Brgy. Poblacion, Patnongon, Antique wherein joint forces conducted  simulation exercise of over the beach operation, counter mobility operation, amphibious assault, security patrol, heliborne operation, intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance operation, combat patrol, close air support and retrograde operation.

A total of 797 AFP personnel participated in the event. The successful training exercise was made possible with the combined efforts of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and unwavering support of the local government and other law enforcement agencies in protecting and securing our country and maintaining peace, order and development. It was conducted with the strict observance of the health and biosafety protocols posed by IATF to prevent COVID-19 transmission.

“We have witnessed the readiness of our armed forces to defend the Filipino people against various threats. The skills and techniques that our soldiers garnered here, armed with new and reliable equipment shall boost our capabilities to seamlessly attain our mission of protecting the people and the state,” MGen Felicidario III, Exercise Director of AJEX 05-2021 stated.

(Naval Forces Central)