The Philippine Army and the United States Army Pacific (USARPAC) executed a live-fire exercise on Friday, utilizing the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) in Laur, Nueva Ecija.
The exercise, held at the Canantong Fire Base, was part of the second phase of the ongoing Salaknib Exercise. According to a statement from the Philippine Army, the Artillery Regiment and Field Artillery personnel from the US Army’s Multi-Domain Task Force collaborated closely to maneuver, reload, and fire the HIMARS batteries. The HIMARS, a missile launcher mounted on a five-ton truck, can fire six guided missiles in rapid succession.
The Salaknib Exercise is a bilateral training initiative aimed at enhancing the interoperability and readiness of the Philippine and US armies. The first phase of Salaknib commenced in April, involving 1,800 soldiers from the Philippine Army’s 5th and 7th Infantry Divisions and Specialty Enabler units, alongside 1,700 USARPAC soldiers from the 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division.