The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) concluded its third multi-service military exercise “DAGIT-PA” during closing ceremonies held at the AFP Education Training and Doctrine Command (AFPETDC) in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.
“DAGIT-PA” stands for “Dagat-Langit-Lupa” and aims to enhance interoperability during joint operations of the Philippine Navy, Philippine Air Force and Philippine Army along with units from Special Operations Forces, Cyber Group, and Reservists.
The joint exercise ran from September 16 to 27 and consisted of major joint interoperability events as well as command post exercises. These events included amphibious operations, airfield retake and aviation operations, urban operations, and cyber defense training throughout Northern and Western Philippines.
The exercise brought out the best among AFP troops during various field and staff exercises. “Our units from the regular and reserve force greatly benefited from this multi-service exercise that aimed to develop our skills and capabilities in joint sea, air and land operations. We do this to better perform our mission of protecting the people and the state,” said AFPETDC head and Exercise Director, Commodore Adeluis Bordado.
The exercise encompassed four major events namely air/maritime interdiction in Palawan; amphibious operations in Zambales; airfield seizure and military operation in urban terrain in Nueva Ecija; and combined arms live-fire in Tarlac.
The AFP showcased 4 newly-acquired amphibious assault vehicles during the amphibious exercise in Zambales.
Reservists also played a vital role in exercises that sought to enhance military capabilities on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. A cyber defense exercise was also held to test the military’s cyberspace capabilities in building a strong infrastructure that can protect, detect, and respond to network attacks.
“It is a continuous endeavor of the AFP to achieve better unity of command and capitalize on the synergy of military operations,” Bordado said. “This will enable our members to be readily deployable to address contingencies across all mission areas,” he added.
More than 1,500 regular soldiers and reservists from the Army, Air Force, Navy and Marines participated in “DAGIT-PA”.
It is an AFP-wide/AFP-only exercise aimed at enhancing interoperability, capabilities, and readiness requirement during joint operations. (PNA)
