All Set for Balikatan 2010. The Philippine Marines’ Light Amphibious Riverine Craft (LARC) and V300 tanks will see action in amphibious landing exercises in the beaches of Ternate, Cavite. The Philippine Marine Corps will join their American counterparts in a series of activities aimed at enhancing their capability in combating terrorism. Vice Admiral Ferdinand S Golez in his speech during the send-off ceremony at the Navy Headquarters cited the Fleet-Marine Team’s insights and capabilities in jungle warfare as a great contribution of the Philippine Navy during the Balikatan Exercises in the past.
All Set for Balikatan 2010. The Navy’s Bolkow Helicopter (PNH 411) hovers while a Destroyer Escort Vessel BRP Rajah Humabon (PF 11) maneuvers during the send-off ceremony on 02 March 2010. Around 950 Sailors and Marines, and six other floating and air assets participate in the Balikatan 2010 which formally commences in 09 March. Five other vessels and an Islander aircraft will be involved in a series of anti-terror drills in the areas of Northern Luzon, San Antonio, Zambales, Subic, and Cavite. Vice Admiral Ferdinand S Golez, Flag Officer In Command, Philippine Navy enjoined the Sailors and Marines during the send-off ceremony to showcase “what the Philippine Navy Fleet-Marine Team is really made of”, especially in contributing to their American counterparts our competency in fighting the enemy while winning the hearts and minds of the people.
LIEUTENANT COLONEL EDGARD A AREVALO PN(M)
Director, Naval Public Affairs Office
Tuesday, 02 March 2010
The Philippine Navy sends off this morning, 02 March 2010 its personnel and assets participating in the Balikatan 2010 which formally starts in 09 March. Vice Admiral Ferdinand S Golez, Flag Officer In Command, Philippine Navy led the simple rites at the Navy Headquarters in Roxas Blvd, Manila for some 933 Sailors and Marines participating in the annual exercises with the US.
Two Navy vessels- BRP Rajah Humabon (PF 11) and BRP Apolinario Mabini (PS 36) now docked at the Commo Yutadco Pier, Naval Station Pascual Ledesma in Cavite City, one Bolkow chopper and the Marines’ Light Amphibious Riverine Craft (LARC) and a B300 tank were prepositioned at the Navy Headquarters for the ceremonial send-off. Other participating vessels during the Balikatan are BRP Dagupan City (LC 551), and BRP Leopoldo Regis (PG 847), DF 336, and DF 351. The Navy’s aircraft, PNH 411 and PNI 312 will also see action in the areas of Northern Luzon, San Antonio, Zambales, and Subic together with elements from the Naval Special Operations Group (NAVSOG). Meanwhile, members of the Philippine Marine Corps will hold the amphibious landing exercises in the beaches of Ternate, Cavite with their US counterparts.
In his speech during the ceremony, Vice Admiral Golez enjoined the participants to showcase in the Balikatan “what the Philippine Navy Fleet-Marine Team is really made of.”
“I know for a fact that the Navy’s insights on counterinsurgency, civil-military affairs and jungle warfare, among many other inherent capabilities of our Fleet-Marine team, will be greatly useful in the said exercises. With all these, what our Fleet-Marine team will therefore contribute to our American counterparts in the exercise are the integration of efforts to fight the enemy, how to win the hearts and minds of the populace; and, of course, jungle survival, which AFP men and women are generally known for,” Admiral Golez said.
Admiral Golez also expressed optimism that cooperation between US and Philippine forces through the Balikatan would continue to bind the two governments’ resolve in defeating the scourge of terrorism and also between the peoples of the two countries in seeking a common vision of peace, freedom, and prosperity.
Balikatan 2010 is comprised of various events such as Explosive Ordnance Disposal Exercises (EODEX)/Diving Exercise (DIVEX), and Combined Afloat Staff Planning. During the phase of the exercise different evolutions aboard ship will be conducted that include the Visit Board Search and Seizure (VBSS), seamanship, and boat raid. These series of activities is a test of the operational skills of the Sailors and Marines, especially in applying the concept of Fleet-Marine operations.
Prior the formal opening ceremony in 09 March, Balikatan already kicked off in the areas of Northern Luzon where a series of community relations projects have been conducted by participating personnel from the AFP and the US Armed Forces.
3 comments:
Another display our country's floating antique (BRP Humabon) to foreign navies... better guard this ship from foreign sailors who brought with them metal cutters and torches to get souvenirs!
Sir Dan, yes you are right but we must still hold our head up high. It would be good for our country to have those modern ships but I am optimistic our navy will get them in 10-15 years' time
Dan, our Philippine Navy is doing a damn good job! though they are ill-equipped. We can't expect more from our courageous men and women of our military, who are risking their lives daily to protect butts like yours while typing your banal posts.
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