American, Filipino SEALs train together

AROUND 80 Filipino and American sailors have completed two weeks of training aimed at improving their interoperability and capabilities in special sea, air and land (SEAL) operations.

The training dubbed Flash Piston 16-1 involving the Philippine Navy’s Naval Special Operations Group (Navsog) and the US Navy’s Naval Special Warfare Unit-1 ended Monday.

The exercise held from Jan. 18 to Feb. 1 was conducted at Navsog headquarters at Naval Base Heracleo Alano, Sangley Point, Cavite City, involving 60 Filipino sailors and 20 of their American counterparts.

Navsog commander Capt. Alfonspin Tumanda Jr. said the exercise was a great opportunity for the specialized forces of both nations to gain significant experience and boost their interoperability.

“Enhancing our capability through this kind of exercise enables the Navy to assert more efficiency and effectiveness in the conduct of our mandated tasks,” he said.

The exercise involved developing capability for gas and oil platform (Goplat) operations and for riverine warfare and interoperability through SEAL-to-SEAL training.

It was also aimed at enhancing SEAL techniques and procedures to improve the sailors’ individual skills and professionalism through hands-on and field exercises.

The SEAL teams of both countries also exchanged best practices on medical evacuation procedures, combat military marksmanship and human rights training. The SEALs took part in field training exercises involving maritime interdiction operations like visit-board-search-and-seizure (VBSS).

US Navy joint mission commander Lt. Lowell Bruhn said the training allowed both the American and Filipino SEALs to exchange tactics and procedures.

“We do the Flash Piston exercise to build camaraderie with our counterparts here in the Philippines and to build capacity between ourselves and Navsog,” Bruhn added. Julie M. Aurelio