Legazpi: The Philippine Army (PA) and the Philippine Air Force (PAF) in Bicol commenced an interoperability exercise on Monday to enhance their air-ground capabilities. Maj. Frank Roldan, chief of the public affairs office of the 9th Infantry Division (9ID), announced that the five-day exercise involves 900 PA personnel and 300 PAF personnel.

According to Philippines News Agency, the exercise is designed to improve interoperability, combat readiness, and operational efficiency among the participating forces. Roldan stated that the exercise will continue until September 26, with various activities focused on air-to-ground operations to boost coordination between the two military branches.

The exercise will see a total of 1,200 uniformed personnel engaged in training activities across multiple venues, including San Francisco, Legazpi, and Virac, Catanduanes. These activities will encompass field training, communication drills, humanitarian assistance, disaster response, and the development of war-fighting capabilities.

Roldan emphasized that the Philippine Army will deploy crew-served equipment such as armor and field artillery, while the Philippine Air Force will demonstrate its air assets. The exercise aims to display the military operations and war-fighting capabilities of each branch, ensuring their readiness to respond to threats and safeguard public safety.