AIRDROP. Philippine Air Force's (PAF) S-70i Black Hawk helicopter during a Bundle Drop operation exercise, one of the activities of the just-concluded Interoperability Exercise (IOX) 03-24 at the 5th Infantry Division at the Camp Melchor F. Dela Cruz in Gamu town, Isabela province. The PAF and the Philippine Army held a joint military exercise from Oct. 7 to 11, 2024. (PAF Photo)
MANILA – The Philippine Air Force (PAF) and the Philippine Army (PA) have concluded their highly anticipated Interoperability Exercise (IOX) 03-24 to enhance synergy and refine joint combat and tactical operations.
The five-day joint military exercise at the 5th Infantry Division in Camp Melchor F. Dela Cruz in Gamu town, Isabela province showcased both forces' enhanced capabilities and commitment to seamless operational integration, said Col. Ma Consuelo Castillo, PAF Public Affairs chief, in a statement Saturday.
With over 1,000 participants from both the PAF and PA, the exercise held from Oct. 7 to 11, already its third installment, featured an array of complex training scenarios, including Command Post Exercises (CPX), Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEE), and Field Training Exercises (FTX).
“These activities, designed to refine joint combat and tactical operations, underscored the Philippine military’s readiness for coordinated missions across multiple domains,” Castillo said.
MGen Gulliber Señires, Commander of the 5th Infantry Division, presided over the closing ceremony, lauding the troops for their dedication and professionalism throughout the exercise.
He emphasized that the lessons learned and relationships built during IOX 03-24 will serve as a foundation for future joint operations, enhancing the armed forces’ ability to respond to evolving security challenges.
The closing event culminated in a high-impact capability demonstration, featuring elite maneuvers such as Military Free Fall, Fast Roping, Bundle Drops, Hoist/Medical Evacuations, and Mechanized Infantry Operations that highlighted the synergy between the Air Force and Army.
PAF continues support for Batanes relief ops
Meanwhile, the PAF continues to provide logistical support to the ongoing relief efforts in the province of Batanes following the recent onslaught of Typhoon Julian.
In a statement Saturday, Castillo said the PAF’s Tactical Operations Group (TOG) 2 under the Tactical Operations Wing Northern Luzon (TOWNOL) facilitated another relief operation in Sabtang Island last Friday.
Utilizing the PAF's Sokol helicopter, TOG 2 transported a total of 10 personnel from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) and 60 kilograms of vital medicines to support recovery efforts in the island.
“These operations underscore the PAF's commitment to ensuring timely and effective humanitarian assistance in the aftermath of natural disasters, highlighting the essential role of air mobility in disaster response initiatives,” Castillo said. (With reports from Priam Nepomuceno/PNA)
