'SALAKNIB' DRILLS. An American HIMARS platform at the Crow Valley target range in Tarlac during the 2016 iteration of the "Balikatan" military exercise held in April that year. Philippine Army troops and their counterparts from the United States will be firing the American-made HIMARS platform in a military target range in Nueva Ecija on Friday (Aug. 9, 2024). (PNA file photo by Priam F. Nepomuceno)
MANILA – Philippine Army (PA) troops and their counterparts from the United States will be firing the American-made High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) platform in a military target range in Nueva Ecija on Friday.
The live-fire exercise will take place at the Army Artillery Regiment long-range precision firing area in Barangay Canantong, Laur town, PA spokesperson Col. Louie Dema-ala said Thursday.
The activity, part of the ongoing "Salaknib" Phase 2 exercises, is designed to "enhance coordination and execution of military operations, highlighting the importance of combined training for regional security."
"It also highlights the tactical readiness, underscores the preparedness of both forces to rapidly deploy and execute precise military operations," Dema-ala said.
HIMARS is a full-spectrum, combat-proven, all-weather, 24/7, lethal, and responsive, wheeled precision strike weapons system.
It is capable of being transported by C-130 cargo aircraft and carries one launch pod containing either six guided MLRS (GMLRS)/MLRS rockets or one Army Tactical Missile System missile.
HIMARS is designed to support joint early and forced entry expeditionary operations with high-volume destructive, suppressive, and counter-battery fires.
Around 2,000 Filipino and American troops are participating in "Salaknib" Phase 2 which started May 11.
"Salaknib", which means shield in Ilocano, is an annual exercise between the Philippines and the United States aimed at beefing the interoperability of Filipino and American ground troops. (PNA)
