GAMU, ISABELA—The Philippine Air Force (PAF) and the Philippine Army (PA) commenced their five-day “Interoperability Exercise” (IOX) 03-24 on Monday, aimed at enhancing joint operational capabilities and readiness.
According to Philippines News Agency, the exercise involves 1,100 Army personnel and 351 Air Force personnel and is hosted by the PAF at the 5th Infantry Division headquarters, Camp Melchor F. Dela Cruz. PAF spokesperson Col. Ma. Consuelo Castillo highlighted that the exercise is designed to “enhance interoperability, combat readiness, and operational efficiency between the two services,” focusing particularly on refining air-to-ground communication and coordination.
The drills, which will continue until Friday, are structured to include a command post exercise (CPE), subject matter expert exchanges (SMEE), and a field training exercise (FTX). During the CPE, participants will develop and evaluate various operational strategies, with the most effective ones being implemented in the FTX. The SMEEs will cover crucial aspects of joint operations such as planning, intelligence, coordination, air support, insertion methods, UAV use, communication, medical evacuation, logistics, and security.
The culmination of these exercises will take place on October 10 at the Santor Military Reservation in Rizal, Kalinga, where the strategies developed will be operationalized during the FTX, incorporating insights gained from the SMEEs. PAF reservists will also participate in these segments, contributing to and learning from the practical exercises.
This year’s IOX not only aims to bolster the capabilities of the individual services but also to foster a greater understanding and teamwork between the Army and the Air Force, which is crucial for the modern battlefield’s dynamic and rapidly evolving threats.