Filipino, American troops end joint drills in Cavite

MANILA, Philippines - Filipino and American Navy troops on Monday concluded joint drills intended to improve their capabilities to deal with maritime threats and emergencies. 

The Flash Piston 16-1 exercises kicked off on January 18 and involved more than 60 sailors from the Philippine Navy and 20 personnel from the US Navy Naval Special Warfare Unit-1.

The closing ceremony was held at the Navy Special Operations Group (NAVSOG) headquarters at the Naval Base Heracleo Alano in Sangley Point, Cavite.

NAVSOG chief Capt. Alfonspin Tumanda Jr. said the training had provided an opportunity for the Philippines and the United States navies to strengthen their inter-operability.

"Enhancing capability through this kind of exercise enables the Philippine Navy to assert more efficiency and effectiveness in the conduct of our mandated tasks,” he said.

US Navy Joint Mission Commander Lt. Lowell Bruhn said Flash Piston allowed his fellow participants to build camaraderie with their Philippine counterparts. 

“By working together, we exchange our tactics, techniques and procedures,” Bruhn said.

Flash Piston is an annual exercise that started in 2008. The exercise aims to increase and develop capability on gas and oil platform operations, enhance riverine warfare capability and inter-operability, enhance and develop sea, air and land tactics, techniques and procedures; and improve individual skills and professionalism among troops.

During the first week of the exercise, participants exchanged information on medical evacuation procedures, combat military marksmanship, and human rights training.

Field training exercises that focused on maritime interdiction operation activities were conducted during the second week of the drill.