PH, US discuss plans for Salaknib exercise

Filipino, US soldiers hone marksmanship skills during Salaknib 2019. /DVIDSHUB

MANILA, Philippines — The United States Army Pacific (Usarpac) vice commander met on Tuesday with his Philippine counterpart to discuss final preparations for the joint Salaknib war games that start on Saturday.

Usarpac vice commander Maj. Gen. Matthew McFarlane also initiated discussion with Army vice commander Maj. Gen. Henry Doyaoen on the military-wide Balikatan exercise in April.

The Army officials discussed capability development and training, particularly the annual bilateral Salaknib (“shield” in the Ilocano language) and the Balikatan exercises.

McFarlane will take part in the Saturday opening of the Salaknib exercise, an annual Philippine-US Army training exercise, which will run until March 24 at different sites in Central Luzon.

—JEANNETTE I. ANDRADE

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