PH, US hold ‘Balikatan’ air assault exercise in Nueva Ecija

Photo shows sling loading equipment drill using a Black Hawk helicopter during the Balikatan air assault exercise in Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija. (Photo from Philippine Army)

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Army and the United States Army have conducted an air assault exercise in Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija as a part of the ongoing Balikatan exercises.

 The air assault exercise was conducted from Monday to Tuesday as part of the war games between two longtime allies, according to PA.

 “The drill tested the interoperability of both armies in a holistic exercise that incorporated elements of combined joint special operations forces reconnaissance; chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosives; counter-improvised explosive device; site exploitation; and military operations on urban terrain,” the PA said in a statement on Wednesday.

“Another highlight of the exercise is the nighttime sling load training where soldiers rigged up a piece of equipment onto all-weather, medium-lift Chinook and Black Hawk choppers using sling sets, cargo nets, and other specially designed equipment,” the PA also said.

Joined by 5,100 American soldiers and 3,800 Philippine military personnel, the Balikatan started on Monday, March 28, and will end on Friday, April 8.

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