6,500 RP, US troops join Talon Vision

Thousands of US troops started yesterday their annual military exercises with Filipino soldiers with counterterrorism as their focal point.

In the next two weeks, about 6,500 US and Filipino troops will take part in mock beach and artillery assaults, helicopter-borne raids and humanitarian missions.

The first exercise, Talon Vision, opened at the former US air base in Clark Field, where US transport aircraft, helicopters and F/A-18 Hornet jets from the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Unit landed from Okinawa, Japan.

The amphibious landing exercise will start today with the arrival of three US Navy ships at the former Subic naval base.

Rommel Rodriguez, Philippine spokesman for the maneuvers, said the exercises will take place simultaneously in Northern Luzon, and will not include southern Mindanao, where US troops have been training and providing intelligence support for Filipino troops battling Abu Sayyaf terrorists.

Talon Vision is one of more than 20 annual military exercises between the US and the Philippines, and has recently become one of the largest.

Last year, about 5,700 US Marines and sailors, and 1,300 Filipino troops participated.

A US Embassy statement said American and Filipino troops will also repair school buildings, paint classrooms and provide free medical care to communities as part of the exercises.

Filipinos train with Australians

The Philippine and Australian navies will hold a three-day exercise in Cebu starting tomorrow to further enhance maritime security in Southeast Asia.

This year’s joint naval exercise would involve some 300 Filipino and Australian sailors, according to Philippine Naval Forces Central spokesman Lt. Alex Garso.

Dubbed “PN-RAN Exercise LUMBAS 2007,” the exercise was conceptualized as the first Staff Exercise and Command Post Exercise (STAFFEX/CPX) between the Philippine and Australian navies.

Garso said the maritime exercise will focus largely on-off and on-shore disaster and relief operations, as well as enhancement of maritime security in the borders with Malaysia and Indonesia.

The missile-firing frigate HMAS Parramatta will bring the Australian troops to Cebu City on Wednesday.

The visiting Australian vessel is capable of surface and undersea warfare, surveillance, reconnaissance and interdiction operations.

It is also equipped with an air defense system. – Pia Lee-Brago, Jaime Laude