Philippine Army (PA) and Philippine Air Force (PAF) planners laid out plans for the second iteration of the interoperability exercises between the two service branches during a planning conference at the Headquarters Philippine Army, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City on May 31, 2023.
PA and PAF planners discussed the proposed concept of execution of the interoperability exercise (IOX) and force requirement, logistical requirement, and assets that will be used.
The said exercise is geared at ensuring the interoperability of ground and aerial units for joint operations and to array and integrate PA and PAF capabilities for more effective joint operations. The 2nd PA-PAF IOX will be held in the area of operations of the 5th Infantry Division.
It can be recalled that the first-ever PAF-PA IOX—which addressed gaps in joint operations and achieved seamless air-to-ground communications and operations between the two service branches—commenced on March 7 and culminated on March 11, 2022 at the 2nd Infantry Division's area of operations. Around 1,000 soldiers and airmen participated in last year's PA-PAF IOX which consisted of military free-fall, bundle drop, helicopter sniping, fast rope insertion-extraction system, air evacuation, and communications and electronics exercise.
Photos by Sgt. Josel P. Sucayan PA/OACPA