AFP holds multi-service amphibious exercise along Subic coast

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Saturday held a joint ship-to-shore operation along Zambales' Subic Bay coast to demonstrate the military’s ability to seize a littoral objective in a scenario in which they need to retake an island.

During the operation, a Philippine Marine Corps unit launched their four new amphibious assault vehicles, acquired from the South Korean defense manufacturer Hanwha Techwin, from the Philippine Navy's landing ship dock BRP Davao del Sur (LD 602).

Meanwhile, the Philippine Air Force used their S-76A rotary-wing aircraft for casualty evacuation from shore to ship.

"The amphibious exercise is an opportunity to enhance our proficiency in sea to land operations utilizing our new amphibious assault vehicles (AAVs)," explained the amphibious landing force's commander, Lieutenant  Colonel Henry Espinosa. "It seeks to develop our skills, techniques, and capabilities during rapid deployment of troops from ship to shore whether under hazardous circumstances or during natural disasters or hostile enemy actions."

The amphibious exercise was one of the main joint interoperability exercises conducted under the AFP's Joint Exercise “Dagat-Langit-Lupa” or (AJEX) DAGIT-PA.

Among the exercise's other activities were an air/maritime interdiction operation in Palawan; an airfield seizure and military operations in urban Terrain in Nueva Ecija; and a combined arms live-fire exercise in Tarlac.

More than 1,500 soldiers, including reservists and selected AFP Wide Support and Separate Units, were participating in this year’s joint exercises. — Joahna Lei Casilao/DVM, GMA News