VERA Files
Philippine and American armies continue their joint military exercise as part of “Salaknib,” an annual Army-to-Army exercise which precedes the bigger Balikatan slated this month.
On March 31, the exercises include the firing of high mobility artillery rocket system (HIMARS), the firing of AT-4 anti-tank involving a pair of Filipino and American soldiers and lastly the squad live fire exercises.
Now on its 8th year, Salaknib (Ilocano term for shield) aims to strengthen the interoperability of Filipino and American soldiers as the Philippine Army shifts its focus from internal security to territorial defense amid new challenges in regional security.
In his March 14 speech at the opening of the exercise, Philippine Army chief Lt. Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said, “In learning together, we enhance the capabilities and capacities to work together within the ever changing dynamics of global developments and Indo-Pacific concerns.” Photos by Bullit Marquez for VERA Files
