Philippine and U.S. troops hold live firing exercises in annual war games

Record ID: 107254

  • Title: Philippine and U.S. troops hold live firing exercises in annual war games
  • Date: 14th April 2016
  • Summary: TARLAC PROVINCE, PHILIPPINES (APRIL 14, 2016) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF TANKS MOVING ON DIRT ROAD U.S. AND PHILIPPINE OFFICIALS WALKING ON ROAD VARIOUS OF HIGH MOBILITY ARTILLERY ROCKET SYSTEMS (HIMARS) FIRING TEST ROCKETS OFFICIALS INSIDE OUTPOST LOOKING ON PHILIPPINE DEFENCE SECRETARY, VOLTAIRE GAZMIN, SCANNING SURROUNDINGS USING BINOCULARS VARIOUS OF COBRA MILITARY HELICOPTE
  • Embargoed: 29th April 2016 07:48
  • Keywords: live fire war games US Philippines military exercises
  • Location: TARLAC PROVINCE, PHILIPPINES
  • City: TARLAC PROVINCE, PHILIPPINES
  • Country: Philippines
  • Topics: Conflicts/War/Peace
  • Reuters ID: LVA0014DCAS07
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Philippine and U.S. troops held live firing drills at a military camp north of Manila as part of annual war games on Thursday (April 14).
    About 8,000 Filipino and American soldiers are joining the two-week military exercises, which focus on command and control, communications, logistics and mobility procedures to address humanitarian and maritime security, Philippine defence officials said.
    Troops participated in a mock cooperative assault using ground and air assets to secure the area.
    A new addition to the exercise was a live demonstration of two High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) using reduced-ranged practice rockets.
    Philippine exercise commander Alexander Lopez told journalists the demonstration was a welcome addition.
    "We are really progressing and hopefully by next year we could come with a better, and maybe much more bigger exercise, and hopefully we can get in newer technologies and hardware," he said.
    The annual war games come under the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT), one of a web of security alliances the United States built in the Asia and Pacific region during the Cold War.
    Philippine and U.S. defence officials have recently approved an agreement which allows a greater U.S. military presence and storage of equipment in five military bases amid rising tensions in the region.
    American exercise commander John Toolan said the deal will help the Philippines' defences.
    "Exactly what we want to do to improve some of these former bases in places to better support the territorial defence objectives of the Philippines," he said.
    U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter will be observing part of the exercises after arriving in the Philippines on Wednesday (April 13), underscoring the significance of the war games for both nations.
    Officials from both the Philippines and the U.S. have said the exercises are not aimed at any particular country.
    China's more assertive pursuit of its claims in the South China Sea over the past year or so has included land reclamation and the construction of air and port facilities on some isles and reefs.
    The United States has conducted what it calls "freedom of navigation" patrols in the area, sailing near disputed islands controlled by China to underscore its right to navigate the seas.
    The patrols have drawn sharp rebukes from China but despite that, U.S. officials have made clear the United States would continue to challenge what it considers China's unfounded maritime claims.
    China claims almost the entire South China Sea, believed to have huge deposits of oil and gas. Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam also have claims to parts of the waters, through which about $5 trillion in trade is shipped every year.
    The Philippines has sought international arbitration in the dispute and a decision is expected late this month or in early May. China has declined to take part in the case.
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