Ang Pahayagan

FORT MAGSAYSAY, Nueva Ecija — Troops from the Philippine Army and the United States Army Pacific conducted sling-load and anti-armor drills as part of the ongoing Salaknib Phase 1 exercises at Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija.

The anti-armor training focused on engagement techniques and the integration of anti-armor systems, with soldiers from the Philippine Army and the U.S. Army Pacific’s 25th Infantry Division honing their skills in identifying and engaging targets while reinforcing safe weapons handling and range procedures.

Meanwhile, Filipino and American troops also carried out sling-load operations, which involved rigging artillery pieces, military trucks, and supply crates onto medium-lift Chinook helicopters using sling sets, cargo nets, and other specialized equipment.

Military officials said sling-load operations enable troops to bypass terrain and obstacles that may delay movement to target areas, particularly in locations where ground convoys are impractical or inaccessible.

Exercise Salaknib, held annually, aims to enhance the combined lethality of Philippine and U.S. ground forces, strengthen interoperability, and improve both nations’ capability to respond to threats in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

TOP 📸: Soldiers from the U.S. Army Pacific’s 25th Infantry Division conduct anti-tank weapons training during Exercise Salaknib 2026 at Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija, on April 6, 2026. (Philippine Army photos)