The United States has deployed 1,300 of its troops for the Salaknib exercises in the country, a Philippine Army official said.
Philippine Army Spokesperson Colonel Louie Dema-ala said that there are 1,800 troops from the Philippine Army who are involved in the said exercises.
“Very successful yung conduct of Salaknib Phase 1 and 2, likewise, ongoing ang mga subject matter expert exchange (small training activities) between Philippine Army and USARPAC,” Dema-ala told Manila Standard.
The ongoing Salaknib exercises is an annual bilateral exercise led by the Philippine Army and sponsored by the US Army Pacific (USARPAC).
Scheduled to conclude in September, the event is designed to enhance the US and Philippine Army’s capacity and interoperability across the spectrum of military operations.
On Thursday, Dema-ala clarified that the powerful mid-range missile system that Washington deployed to the Philippines in April for the Balikatan joint exercises will remain in the country until the conclusion of Salaknib Phase 2 in September.
Dema-ala told Manila Standard that deployment or redeployment of the Typhon missile system will still depend if the training objectives of Salaknib had been met.
The ground-based mid-range capability (MRC) that could launch Tomahawk and SM-6 missiles was also used for a simulated firing drill during a bilateral exercise in the South China Sea in May.
Among the 1,800 troops of the Army, around 40 of them, who are part of Army Artillery Regiment (AAR), were directly trained for operating the Typhon missile system.
“As of now, almost 40 personnel are directly trained for the MRC and similar training will be conducted as planned.” He said.
Other Philippine Army personnels involved in Salaknib exercises came from units specifically in 5th and 7th Infantry Division and support personnel from Training and Doctrine Command and Philippine Army Headquarters in Taguig City.
Aside from MRC training, other Salaknib activities were various Subject Matter Expert Exchange (SMEE) across different warfighting functions, Division and Brigade Size Staff Exercises (table-top) and Reserve Force training (platoon exercises).
Editor’s Note: This is an updated article. Originally posted with the headline: “1300 US troops deployed for Salaknib, Army says”
