The participation of Philippine Army (PA) aviation elements in the ongoing “DAGIT-PA” exercises will determine the feasibility of its deployment to Palawan in the future.

“Aside from meeting the exercise’s objectives, Wescom welcomes the presence of these aircraft from the PA in our area of responsibility. This is a good opportunity to assess the feasibility of the Army aviation’s deployment to Palawan in the future,” Wescom chief Vice Adm. Alberto B. Carlos said in a statement Monday night.

For the first time, the PA has deployed its newly-acquired Messerschmitt-Bolkow-Blohm Bo-105 helicopter and a Cessna 172 to “DAGIT-PA”.

These aircraft arrived in Puerto Princesa, Palawan last Nov. 7 with the Bo-105 having its maiden flight over Wescom’s joint area of operation.

“DAGIT-PA” stands for “Dagat, Langit at Lupa” and entails the participation of the three major services of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) — the Navy, Air Force, and Army as employed in joint operations.

“The AJEX (AFP Joint Exercises) will also test and validate, and eventually enhance the interoperability of our joint forces and capabilities for various missions,” Carlos said.

This year’s “DAGIT-PA” is the sixth iteration of the joint exercise unilaterally conducted by the AFP.

Most of the events will be conducted in Wescom’s joint operations area from Nov. 7 to 18. There will be four major events that will highlight the exercise, namely: table top exercise (TTX), staff exercise (STAFFEX), cyber defense exercise (CYDEX), and field training exercises (FTX) in various locations in Palawan.

With the exception of the FTX, all of the training events will be conducted in Camp General Artemio Ricarte in Puerto Princesa.

FTX events are the amphibious landing exercise scheduled on Nov. 14 in Brooke’s Point, and the combined arms and littoral Live-fire exercise to be held on Nov. 15 in Rizal, both in Palawan.

“The AJEX ‘DAGIT-PA’ will enhance Wescom’s capacity and capability in addressing crisis situation(s) in its joint operations area, and be able to operate with other units as one AFP,” Carlos said.

“Equally important in this year’s exercise is the strengthening of the active participation of other government agencies as we pursue the whole-of-nation approach in addressing all levels of internal and external threats to national security,” he added. (PNA)