Philippine Army doctors of the Public Affairs Group (Reserve) conduct a pediatric clinic in Barangay Bagong Buhay as part of Civil Military Operations (CMO) training in BALANCE PISTON 99-3.

Members of the Philippine Army Special Operations Command (PASOCOM) recently joined personnel of the U.S. Army Special Operations Command (USASOC) to conduct the Joint/Combined Exchange Training (JCET) event, BALANCE PISTON 99-3 at Ft. Magsaysay, Republic of the Philippines. BALANCE PISTON 99-3 was conducted in April and early May 1999. It is one of a series of BALANCE PISTON events between Philippine and US Special Operations Forces (SOF) during the past several years. The "BALANCE" events are part of the United States Pacific Command's JCET program that began in 1992. They are conducted by the Commander, Special Operations -Command, Pacific. The purpose of the JCET program is to improve the individual and small unit readiness of both US SOF and host nation military forces, enhance the interoperability of US and friendly forces, and to help promote better bilateral military-to-military relations between the US and participating Asia-Pacific military organizations. BALANCE PISTON 99-3 involved two general types of training: individual and small unit combat proficiency training, and civil-military operations training.

BALANCE PISTON 99-3 involved individual and small unit combat proficiency training. Sgt. Alexander H. Busto, Philippine Army Special Forces, trains in ambush patrol tactics.

INDIVIDUAL AND SMALL UNIT COMBAT PROFICIENCY TRAINING

Individual and small unit combat proficiency training was conducted by US Army Special Forces members from the Okinawa, Japan-based Operational Detachment Alpha 111, 1st Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne), led by Capt. Michael Haber. Two Philippine elements of PASOCOM took part: a 14-man Scout Ranger contingent led by 1st Lt. Ronald D. Clemente and a 16-man Special Forces contingent led by 2nd Lt. Rommil R. Abayon. This training focused on pistol and rifle marksmanship, combat first aid and lifesaving techniques, medical evacuation procedures, rappelling and fast-rope techniques, patrol and ambush strategies, and Philippine field survival skills. A force-on-force situational training exercise and a live-fire exercise were also incorporated into the small unit combat -training activities.

"Dual Purpose" Training

While much of the training was focused on combat proficiency, a significant portion was "dual purpose" training in skills that could be used to not only save soldiers' lives but also save the lives of Filipino civilians. Although PASOCOM trains primarily for combat contingencies, this command is also tasked with coming to the aid of Filipino citizens when disaster strikes. In recent years, the Philippines has endured numerous natural disasters such as volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, typhoons and floods. Thus, BALANCE PISTON training in first aid, medical evacuation and fast-rope and rappelling techniques help prepare PASOCOM personnel to assist in civilian disaster relief or search and rescue operations in the aftermath of natural calamities.

A US Special Forces member assists in training Philippine Scout Rangers and Special Forces in two-man carry medical evacuation techniques.

First Aid Training

Two days were devoted to enhancing the basic first aid skills of PASOCOM soldiers. Hands-on training and practical exercises focused on stopping bleeding, bandaging injuries, splinting broken bones, preparing neck braces, treating patients for shock, and preparing injured personnel for litter transport. These skills are essential for saving the lives of fellow PASOCOM soldiers during combat, or to help provide medical assistance to civilian Filipino victims of typhoons, floods and other disasters.

Medical Evacuation

One day of medical training was also devoted to the proper procedures for heli-borne evacuation of injured personnel. Following a simulated ambush, PASOCOM soldiers employed the one- or two-man carry technique to move a "wounded" team member away from the ambush site. Then the soldiers were required to properly treat and bandage their wounded comrade and prepare him for litter transport to a staging area. Upon arrival at the staging area, the team leader was required to use the proper 9-line format for calling in a Medevac helicopter. Finally, the team carried and then loaded their wounded team member onto helicopter mockups to simulate evacuation from the battlefield. The skills developed during this simulated combat training can also be used to help evacuate Filipino civilians in the aftermath of -natural disasters or other emergencies.

US Special Forces Medic Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Heim observes the bandaging technique of Sgt. Aquilino A. Saldasal, Jr., as he dresses a simulated head wound of a "wounded" soldier.