A Philippine Special Forces member demonstrates rappelling down an 80-foot (approximately 24-meter) tower.

Search and Rescue

Another day of training was devoted to improving the fast-rope and rappelling skills of PASOCOM soldiers. Designed to build stamina and confidence in Special Forces and Scout Ranger participants in BALANCE PISTON, fast rope and rappelling techniques can also be used during helicopter search and rescue operations in order to save Filipino citizens stranded in isolated areas following typhoons or floods.

CIVIL-MILITARY OPERATIONS TRAINING

This was the first BALANCE PISTON exercise which incorporated Civil-Military Operations (CMO) cross-training between Philippine and U.S. SOF personnel. A composite 26-man Philippine CMO class was formed under the auspices of Maj. Rodrigo V. Quintilla (PASOCOM G-7, Assistant Chief of Staff for CMO) and Capt. Ferozaldo Paul T. Regencia (former Commandant of the Philippine Army PSYOP/CMO School). The class conducted separate but concurrent training in CMO-related subjects with a seven-man US Military Information Support Team (MIST) from Ft. Bragg, North Carolina, led by Maj. Thomas Owens. The CMO training involved familiarization between the two countries' SOF personnel, audio-visual and print media training, computer graphics training, and a concluding CMO field training exercise called "Barangay Immersion."

Personnel, Organization and -Equipment Familiarization

Both the Philippine and US contingents conducted briefings designed to familiarize each other concerning the doctrine, organization, personnel and equipment employed by their respective organizations in support of CMO conducted both during conflict and in operations other than war, such as peacekeeping or disaster relief activities.

Capt. Ferozaldo P. T. Regencia, the chief Philippine Army instructor for BALANCE PISTON, explains the operation of a prototype loudspeaker system to Philippine Army CMO students.

Audiovisual and Print Media -Training

The Philippine soldiers showed the US participants their audio-visual equipment. The US MIST team was given the opportunity to tour a static display of a Philippine Army audio-visual van used to support CMO activities at the barangay (community) level. The audio-visual van contained film, videocassette, public address and light printing equipment. The US contingent was also given a demonstration of a Philippine Army prototype tactical loudspeaker. In return, the U.S. MIST team instructed Philippine troops on the employment of the US Army man-packed tactical loudspeaker system. This training included an opportunity for hands-on operation of the equipment in a simulated field environment. The PASOCOM CMO students, later used the US loudspeaker systems during their end-of-class CMO field -training exercise.

Members of the Philippine Army Public Affairs Group (Reserve) dispense deworming medication to barangay residents during the CMO portion of BALANCE PISTON. Seated on the right are Col. Jesus G. Cabarrus, Jr. and Col. Antonio G. Sebastion.

Computer Training

The US MIST team also conducted computer familiarization classes and provided instruction on basic graphics illustration techniques. The classes were an instant hit with the PASOCOM students, most of whom had no or only limited computer experience. These classes also included instruction on the use of a digital camera, downloading images from the camera to the computer, and incorporation of the photographs into computer-generated products.

US Army Sgt. Christopher Ulep prepares to show how to set up a US man-pack loudspeaker under field conditions.

"Barangay Immersion"

CMO Field Training Exercise The highlight of the CMO cross-training exercise was the "Barangay Immersion" CMO-related activities, conducted at the end of the BALANCE PISTON exercise. The mission was planned and implemented by the PASOCOM CMO students with guidance from Maj. Quintilla and Capt. Regencia. The US MIST team was invited to observe the event. The CMO operation was conducted at barangay Bagong Buhay (New Life), a community of resettled refugees displaced by the volcanic eruptions of Mt. Pinatubo in 1991. The centerpiece of the CMO operation was the medical and dental services provided by the Public Affairs Group (PAG) (Reserve) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Reserve Command, commanded by Col. Eligio Ma. P. Santos. The medical care provided by the PAG included pediatric examinations, deworming, and outpatient treatment of minor illnesses and injuries. More than 600 barangay residents received some form of medical or dental care.

Col. Eligio Ma. P. Santos, Commander of the Public Affairs Group, consults with one of his doctors concerning possible medical evacuation of a woman barangay resident.