The 9th Infantry Division and Australian Army troops stand in formation during the opening ceremony of Exercise Kasangga 2024-2 at Camp Elias Angeles, San Jose, Pili, Camarines Sur on October 14, 2024. (Contributed photo)
MANILA, (PIA) — The Philippine Army, in collaboration with the Australian Army, officially launched Exercise Kasangga (Ally) 2024-2 on October 14, 2024, at Camp Elias Angeles in San Jose, Pili, Camarines Sur.
According to the Philippine Army, this marks the first combined training exercise between the two nations’ ground troops in the Bicol Region.
A total of 266 personnel are participating in the exercise, comprising 216 members from the Philippine Army and 50 from the Australian Army. The training is scheduled to run from October 14 to November 8, 2024.
Exercise Kasangga focuses on essential military operations, including urban combat, close combat techniques, combat shooting, and tactical casualty care. Participants will also receive training in explosive assault breaching, cybersecurity operations, mortar gunnery with forward observers, and Civil-Military Operations (CMO) exchanges.
The initiative aims to enhance the skills and interoperability of both armies across various combat functions.
This exercise follows the first iteration of the combined training conducted by the 5th Infantry Division with Australian troops from May to June 2024.
The collaboration not only strengthens military ties between the Philippines and Australia but also prepares troops for modern warfare challenges. (JCO/PIA-NCR)
