ZAMBOANGA CITY, 7 August 2004 — American and Filipino troops began a joint naval special warfare training exercise yesterday in the southern port city of Zamboanga, where US Army forces were also training local troops.
Two hovercrafts, from the USS Fort McHenry anchored off Zamboanga late yesterday and unloaded equipment in support to the exercise dubbed as PALAH 05-1.
According to the Philippine military’s Southern Command, the training exercise is meant to improve combat readiness and interoperability between the US and Philippine forces “in maritime special operations, mission planning, patrolling, urban terrain and close quarters combat situations, live fire, marksmanship and jungle survival.”
The hovercraftd delivered trucks, trailers and other equipment to be used in the joint exercise, which is to end in December.
At least 20 US and 40 Filipino soldiers are involved in the training, the military said.
Dozens of US Special Forces soldiers are also currently training Filipino army and marine troops in Zamboanga City and in the town of Carmen town in North Cotabato province.
The infantry training, dubbed as “Balance Piston 04,” is part of the US Security Assistance Program to the Philippines, a key ally of Washington in the fight against international terrorism.
Philippine and US soldiers will also conduct humanitarian missions in Zamboanga and Carmen, officials said.
