Navy, Air Force units start interoperability training

September 21, 2017

The Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM) and Tactical Operations Command (TOC) of the Philippine Air Force begun its first joint interoperability training this week.

Rear Admiral Rene Medina, commander of the NFWM, said the joint training is dubbed NFWM-3TOW Interoperability Exercise “Ayudahan” 2017.

He said the opening ceremony for the second phase of the training was held in Zamboanga City last Monday.

Medina said the activity will be carried out in three phases. These are the preparation phase from August 1 to Sept. 17, 2017, the actual exercise phase from Sept. 18 to October 12, 2017 and termination phase from Oct. 13 to 16, 2017.

“The interoperability exercise aims to develop interoperability and operational capabilities of NFWM-TOC units in Western Mindanao Area of Operations and enhance the overall coordination and responsiveness in the conduct of joint maritime operations in support to Internal Security Operations (ISO) and Territorial Defense Operations (TDO),” he said.

Medina said these exercises include series of classroom instructions, lectures, and discussions on the formulation and execution of joint operation plans, subject matter expertise exchanges (SMEEs) and Field Training Exercises (FTX).

He also expressed hope units that would participate in the exercise will take this “as an opportunity to learn and develop their capabilities during the conduct of joint maritime patrols, surveillance and search patrols, and rescue operations in the Western Mindanao region.”

“The continuous collaboration of the two Forces is an evidence of a strong commitment to serve and perform their respective duties for the pursuit of lasting peace, order and development in the Western Mindanao,” he added.

Medina said Ayudahan 2017 was participated by NFWM units namely, “Naval Task Force 61 (NTF 61), Naval Special Operations Unit 6 (NAVSOU 6), Naval Air Unit-Western Mindanao (NAU-WM), Naval Intelligence and Security Group-Western Mindanao (NISG-WM), Maritime Situational Awareness Center- Western Mindanao (MSAC- WM) and Naval Station Romulo Espaldon (NSRE).”

Delegates from TOC include “15th Strike Wing, 205th Tactical Helicopter Wing, 304th Air Intelligence and Security Squadron (AISS), 722nd Special Operations Squadron (SOS), 505th Search and Rescue Group (SRG), Edwin Andrews Air Base (EAAB) Hospital and Philippine Air Force Engineering Construction Group (PAF ECG).” Robina Asido/DMS