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Philippine and U.S. Marines recover a simulated wounded U.S. Marine pilot during the exercise.
Photo by LCpl. Cory Yenter, USMC |
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Drop-Zone Safety
“Winds are calm. Clear to drop.” With these words USAF Capt. Laura Curvey signaled the start of bilateral airdrop operations over Basa Air Base. “Our mission here is very important,” said Capt. Curvey. “We secure the drop zone and the landing strip. We make sure that the area is safe and free of hazards during airdrop operations.”
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A U.S. Marine rappels from a CH-46 helicopter as part of the Tactical Recovery of Aircraft and Personnel training exercise at Clark Field, Philippines.
Photo by LCpl. Cory Yenter, USMC |
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Philippine Marine Cpl. Percival V. Suco checks U.S. Marine PFC Justin Haycock’s harness before a rappel training exercise at Clark Field.
Photo by LCpl. Cory Yenter, USMC |
Using compasses, global positioning systems, wind meters, drop-zone lights, and radios, Capt. Curvey guided the C-130 aircraft as they swooped in low, airdropping Philippine and U.S. troops and equipment over a designated target area in the middle of the field. Cargo delivery systems and heavy equipment dropped from the C-130s can each weigh up to 3,000 pounds (about 1,361 kilograms). This exercise was one of the (U.S.)Pacific Air Forces’ biggest airdrop exercises. More than 100 U.S. airmen and four C-130 Hercules aircraft participated in this joint training with the PAF.
Philippine airmen who jumped from about 1,200 feet (364 meters) said they were impressed with the U.S. airmen and airwomen at the drop zone. Philippine Airwoman Cherry Ann Apolinario said she was a little nervous about her first C-130 jump but was glad to see how well the U.S. drop-zone people responded after they landed. “It’s a great experience to work with American forces,” she said. “I’m ready to jump again.”
Constructing Fighting Positions
By establishing a model of a platoon-sized defense, U.S Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 3 engineers, known as “Seabees,” showed AFP engineers how Seabees dig-in a defense and provide security. The Seabees built “hasty temporary fighting positions” and more permanent “deliberate fighting positions.”
“We are having this exercise to build field fortifications and machinegun placement, because the Philippine Army encamps in isolated areas where there are insurgency issues,” said Philippine Army Maj. Florentino B. Mendez, lead planner for engineering events during the exercise. “This knowledge will help prevent attacks and provide cover for our defense. Once you have controlled the area, and security protects the area, entrenchment is the basic knowledge an engineer should have.”
The AFP engineers and U.S. Navy Seabees took turns swinging pick axes and shoveling the meters of clay and gravel dug out during the construction of three two-man fighting positions, two crew-served weapons positions, and two human booby traps. The resourcefulness of AFP engineers impressed the Americans.
“It’s very interesting how [AFP engineers] build booby traps,” said U.S. Navy CN Joseph B. Rualo.
“It’s so impressive how they work so fast with the resources they have; it’s a lot of improvisation and unconventional warfare.”
Even with temperatures well above 32 degrees Celsius (90 degrees Fahrenheit), the men weren’t idle for a minute during their training. Camaraderie developed through the shared hard work. “If I ever had to go into battle, I would want the AFP by my side fighting. They really know what they’re doing,” said CN Rualo.
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