PALAYAN CITY (PIA) -- The Commanding General of United States Army Pacific Command (USARPAC) visited the Headquarters of Philippine Army (PA) 7th Infantry Division (7ID).
 
General Charles Flynn paid his courtesy call to 7ID Commander Major General Andrew Costelo in preparation for this year’s SALAKNIB Exercise.
 
The 20-day event is scheduled from March 5-24 at Fort Magsaysay, Palayan City.
 
Flynn inspected the facilities of 7ID such as firing range, Battalion Retraining Facilities, Division Training School and Pahingahan Dam.
 
Costelo said the SALAKNIB Exercise is a Philippine-US Army-to-Army theater security cooperation exercise between PA and USARPAC. 
 
“It aims to enhance Philippine and US defense readiness by developing tactical interoperability while simultaneously strengthening bilateral relationship and demonstrating the US resolve to support the security interests of allies and partners in the region,” he furthered.
 
The exercise will be participated primarily by personnel from 1st Brigade Combat Team along with the 51st Engineer Brigade, Civil-Military Operations Regiment, Army Artillery Regiment, Aviation Regiment, Armor Division, Light Reaction Regiment, Special Forces Regiment and First Scout Ranger Regiment.
 
Costelo assured Flynn of the strengthened collaboration between them as they beef up the capabilities of the anti-terrorism unit of PA.
 
“We are committed to the success of this year’s exercise as we will strengthen our counter-terrorism expertise to address all forms of threat including the local communist insurgency,” he added. (CLJD-PIA 3)