The Philippine Army's 502nd Combined Arms Brigade has conducted the first Combined Arms Training Exercises (CATEX) Katihan in Capas, Tarlac.

The training exercises used the ATMOS (Autonomous Truck Mounted Howitzer System) 155mm self-propelled guns for consecutive live-fire exercises.

The brigade serves as the defensive lines in parts of Central Luzon, specifically at Camp Edwin Ravina Airbase.

The scenario simulated outside threat forces attempting to enter the country's territory.

The artillery assets of the Philippine Army were prepared with haste to counter any encroachment into the nation's borders effectively .

The ATMOS of the Philippine Army has a firing range of up to 30 kilometers, which can be used for both offensive and defensive positions.

"Isa ito sa mga bagong procured na artillery," BGen. Eugene Mata, the Brigade Commander, said.

During the exercises, there were instances of jamming experienced by the ATMOS.

"Yan ang isa sa gusto nating i-validate, kung ano man ang performance ng assets sa ground, titignan lahat yan at part yan ng exercises," Col. Ariel Reyes, the Chief of the Exercise Control Group, said.

The CATEX exercise aims to test the capabilities of army units in movement, maneuvering, and endurance in combat operations.

"Only to this kind of large training natin makikita kung ‘yung ating dating ginagawa na inisyatiba [na kung saan ang] capability development ay talagang ating magagamit if needed," Reyes added.