Several
U.S. units from Okinawa and Yokota, Japan, made up the ISA headquarters.
The units were from the 9th Theater Support Command Headquarters, Headquarters
Company 10 Area Support Group, 58th Signal, 45th Corps Support Command,
18th Contracting Command, and the 164th Military Police. The AFP
integrated specialized officers and enlisted personnel into the operations.
As part of the deployment training, the U.S. Arrival/Departure Airfield
Control Group personnel trained with Philippine Army (PA) troops on
building pallets and staging and loading equipment in conjunction with
aircraft operations. The PA also conducted hands-on training with
U.S. aircraft crewmembers. AFP personnel provided vital instruction
in pre-deployment loading for the C-130 aircraft and actually loaded
aircraft at the conclusion of the training, according to Mr. George
Robert White of the 10th Area Support Group. "This
type of training is critical to the successful and timely deployment
of any force for any reason," he said.
Meanwhile, at the PA's Special Forces School at Fort Magsaysay, Nueva
Ecija, units of the RP-U.S. Combined Special Operations Forces launched
intensive cross-training 25 April. The participating units included
army and naval Special Operations Forces from both countries.
They cross-trained in advanced marksmanship, airborne operations, helicopter
operations, direct action, special reconnaissance and close-target reconnaissance,
patrolling and squad tactics, and jungle survival training.
The jungle survival training conducted by the PA Special Forces and
the SIMBA armored personnel carrier orientation was of particular value
to U.S. troops. On the Philippine side, keen interest focused
on the Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement System and the newer and
lighter version of U.S. night vision goggles. Moreover, the RP
troops handled and fired the latest generation M-16 assault rifle, the
squad automatic weapons, and the newer 60 mm mortars.
In Ternate, Marines and sailors cross-trained in preparation for the
amphibious-landing exercise. About 600 Philippine Navy (PN) and
600 U.S Navy (USN) personnel participated in the training that culminated
in the 7 May amphibious-landing exercise in Ternate. The amphibious
exercise was the most complex event, employing both countries' Marine,
Navy, and Air Forces to support an assault of a beachhead.
The USN provided the USS Frederick as the platform for the event.
Before the event, USS Frederick crewmembers cross-trained with PN members
in shipboard operations. PN participants were ferried to and from
the ship for daily lectures, training, demonstrations and hands-on operation
of the ship's systems. USN personnel conducted a series of lectures
and practical activities.
Philippine naval forces participating in the exercise included the Philippine
Fleet, Naval Logistics Center, and Naval Reserve Command Personnel.
PN ships participating in the training included one landing ship vessel,
two patrol gunboats, one landing craft utility and two BO-105 helicopters.
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