The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the United States Special Tactics Team carried out an alternate landing activity — a first in the country – on a bypass road here Tuesday for possible humanitarian or military operations.

Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro said in an interview that the activity is part of the upgrading and interoperability for military operations and humanitarian assistance, sans airports and runways, especially during calamities or disasters.

“Well, this is the first time that a joint operation will land on the streets to test the capability of our joint forces. Secondly, this is also the culmination of the training of our Philippine Air Force Combat Controllers. So, this is skills upgrading and interoperability of our forces, the American Forces and the Philippine Forces,” he said.

A C-146 special operations aircraft was successfully landed by trained AFP personnel.

Teodoro said among the considerations for alternate landings are good road and area condition, as well as wide perimeter road.

“We know that there are not many places that have airports or if the airport is flooded. So, we also know and we are able to study the capability of preparing for military operations for many things, from combat to humanitarian assistance in times of disasters or calamities,” he said.

“Well, if this becomes successful, they will train more and we will use it as a model in other parts of the country.”

Team leader Capt. Ben Huffman said the joint forces have been training for five months, including the highway landing operation. (PNA)