QUEZON CITY, (PIA) --The Philippine Army and the Australian Army conducted a bilateral training exercise conducted in two phases to enhance the capabilities and skills of both armies in urban operations among others.

The first phase of Exercise, also called Kasangga was concluded on June 5, 2023 at the Headquarters of 2nd Infantry “Jungle Fighter” Division at Camp Capinpin in Tanay, Rizal.

The exercise marks the AFP’s more robust international defense and security engagements with foreign military partners.

Following the recent pronouncements of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, the AFP ramped up its education and training engagements with other foreign militaries to foster trust and cooperation.

The Exercise also include training on urban breaching; combat tracking; jungle warfare and survival training; long-range marksmanship; tactical combat casualty care; sensitive site exploitation; intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance operations; and small unit leaders’ training through the exchange of tactics, techniques, and procedures.

The 21st Division Reconnaissance Company (DRC), 2ID trained with a platoon from the Australian Army during Kasangga’s Phase 1 from May 15, 2023 to June 5, 2023.

Meanwhile, personnel from the 22nd DRC, 2ID are now training side-by-side with another platoon from the Australian Army during Kasangga’s Phase 2 from June 5, 2023 to June 23, 2023.

The AFP continues to look forward to more defense engagements and training activities with the Australian counterpart and other allied countries to develop its capabilities further as it shifts its focus towards territorial defense operations. (afp/pia-ncr)