A Philippine Air Force UH-1 Huey, left, and a U.S. Air Force HH-60 Pave Hawk, right, prepare for lift-off before a combat search and rescue training mission during Exercise Balikatan at Clark Air Base, Philippines, April 2, 2019. Balikatan advances combined military modernization and capability development by working together and conducting combined training. The PAF servicemembers are with the 505th Search and Rescue Group. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Sadie Colbert)

CLARK AIR BASE, Philippines—U.S. and Philippine air forces shared best practices and showcased their interoperability at various locations across the Philippines during Exercise Balikatan April 1-12, 2019.

The Philippines-led exercise is often known for its humanitarian and amphibious activities, but throughout the exercise’s long history, aviation operations have become an increasingly important piece of the two nations’ training objectives.

“Working hand-in-hand, training side-by-side, and enhancing friendships together is the essence of Balikatan,” said Philippine Air Force Master Sgt. Wilma Cango, the first sergeant assigned to the 602nd Aerodome Operations Squadron, and native of Pampanga, Philippines. “We are lucky to have Balikatan because the Philippines and U.S. have a longstanding friendship, and they are always here for the PAF.”

Approximately 380 U.S. Air Force personnel from more than 60 career fields participated in the joint, multinational exercise to exchange operational and organizational knowledge.

“The U.S. Air Force comes to the Philippines to share and gain knowledge in different tactics, techniques and procedures whether it’s close-air support, air traffic control, or combat search and rescue,” said Lt. Col. Jason Chambers, 13th Air Expeditionary Group commander and native of Athens, Alabama.

The U.S. Air Force and PAF began the exercise with combat search and rescue (CSAR) training which included three HH-60G Pave Hawks assigned to Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan.

“I was able to see how the 31st Rescue Squadron (RQS) performs a CSAR whereas we function as a non-combatant rescue team,” said PAF 1st Lt. Anthony Feril, a 505th Search and Rescue Group UH-H1 Huey co-pilot. “I appreciated being able to experience joint rescue missions with the 31st RQS, allowing for both PAF and U.S. Air Force teams to perform better in the future.”

Throughout the exercise, four A-10 Thunderbolt IIs with the 25th Fighter Squadron out of Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, participated in nearly 50 flights alongside U.S. Marine Corps and PAF aircraft.

“The missions have been going really well,” said U.S. Air Force Capt. Brian Higgins, an A-10 pilot and native of Vestal, New York. “We were able to work with some of the Filipino joint terminal attack controllers, which we’ve never been able to do before.”

While aircrew worked together high in the skies, medical and security forces personnel on the ground held their own subject matter expert exchanges to strengthen partnerships between first responders.

“I participated in five Exercise Balikatans before this one,” said Tech. Sgt. David Rivera, a member of the cadre assigned to the 736th Security Forces Squadron (SFS) from Anderson Air Base, Guam. “I’m really humbled to share our knowledge and exchange with the PAF how they operate during deployed situations.”

By working together with their PAF counterparts, U.S. Airmen fortified their skills and increased the fluidity of mission execution between the two nations.

“I think anyone who comes to the Philippines sees they are phenomenal people and they’re more than hospitable,” said Chambers. “From a military standpoint, we learn as much from them as they learn from us.”

U.S.-Philippine military collaboration has served as the cornerstone for stability in the Indo-Pacific region for decades. Exercise Balikatan will continue to strengthen the nations’ longstanding alliance and friendship for years to come.
Source: dvidshub.net

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By Francis Wakefield

SAN ANTONIO, Zambales – The Philippine military will acquire this year four AAVs (Amphibious Assault Vehicles) from South Korea.

A Hovercraft from the U.S. Marine Corps carrying troops participates in the Balikatan Exercises 2019 in San Antonio, Zambales. (FRANCIS WAKEFIELD / MANILA BULLETIN)

Lt. Commander Liezl M. Vidallon, Public Affairs Officer of Balikatan 2019 for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) side, said it will be the first time the country will acquire military assets for sea and land operations.

Vidaallon was interviewed on at the sidelines of the Balikatan’s Amphibious Exercise (Amphibex) at the Naval Education Training Command (NETC) in San Antonio, Zambales, Thursday.

Source: news.mb.com.ph

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A statement by Zambales governor, Amor Deloso became hot topic when he revealed that the Chinese government is allegedly using Philippine soil extracted from the mountains of Sta. Cruz, Zambales to build their artificial islands on Scarborough Shoal.

UNTV News & Rescue travelled to Zambales to personally confirm the claims of Gov. Deloso regarding the widespread destruction on its mountains.

Together with local officials, the team visited LNL Archipelago Minerals Incorporated in Barangay Guinabon.

From the entrance, one can clearly see that the foot of the mountain had been hewn out to create roads for heavy equipment.

LNL ‘s Sta.Cruz Nickel Mining Project resident manager, Deody Solee confirmed that the soils extracted from their mines are being transported to China. However, Solee strongly denies they are being used on Scarborough Shoal.

“There’s no truth to that. Can you imagine yung lupa ang itatabon nila dun, na madaling anurin ng dagat yun. So supposed to be, dapat ang nilalagay dun bato, para hindi mabubuwag yung kung itatambak nila dun sa dagat,” explained Solee.

(There’s no truth to that. Can you imagine if they use the soil as landfill; the sea will sweep it away. So supposed to be, rocks should be used to stabilize the landfill so as not to be easily eroded by the sea.)

On the other hand, Governor Deloso said, the company should refute allegations on the issue.

“Kapag sinasabi nila ngayon na hindi totoo itinambak doon sa Scarborough (Shoal) then there must be a trace of the documents. Meron ba silang Bureau of Customs permit? Meron ba silang Coastguard permit? Because to bring out the minerals from Zambales for purpose of mining exportation, kailangan may trace of documents. Can they really prove that?”

(If they are now denying that the soil is being deposited on Scarborough (Shoal) then there must be a trace of the documents. Do they have Bureau of Customs permit? Do they have Coast Guard permit? Because to bring out the minerals from Zambales for purpose of mining exportation, there should be a trace of documents. Can they really prove that?)

The UNTV team visited other mining companies operating in Zambales to verify reported damaging effects of mining activities on the environment.

With the help of a drone, UNTV was able to capture the extent of damage that Eramen Minerals Incorporated and Bengetcorp Nickel Mines Incorporated have purportedly inflicted on two mountains in the course of their mining operations.

According to Deloso, thousands of trees have also died including the endemic Mindoro Pine Tree.

UNTV had tried to get a statement from Benguetcorp Nickel Mines Incorporated but the latter refused an interview. (JOSHUA ANTONIO/ UNTV News & Rescue)

Source: sg.news.yahoo.com

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MANILA—(UPDATED) The state weather bureau on Tuesday recorded the highest heat index so far this year — 51.7 degrees Celsius — in Dagupan City, Pangasinan.

The high heat index, or the apparent temperature felt by a person, was recorded at around 2 p.m., and falls within the “danger” level, said PAGASA.

At this temperature, people are at risk of heat cramps or heat exhaustion. Continued activity could also cause heat stroke.

The heat index in Dagupan City reached 48.2 degrees Celsius on April 3.

Thirteen other areas are in the “danger” category. Among those with the highest temperatures are Cuyo town, Palawan (46.2 degrees Celsius), and Tuguegarao City, Cagayan (43.5 degrees Celsius).

A heat index of 42 degrees Celsius was also recorded in Pasay City, Metro Manila.

The Department of Health (DOH) earlier advised the public to keep themselves hydrated and protected from sun exposure.

PAGASA forecasts that on Wednesday, Central Visayas, Western Visayas and Mindanao could experience cloudy skies with scattered rains and thunderstorms, while Bicol region, CALABARZON, MIMAROPA and the rest of Visayas could also experience partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms.

Metro Manila, Central Luzon and the rest of Luzon, meanwhile, could experience partly cloudy skies.

Source: news.abs-cbn.com

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A WEEKLONG Lenten program has been set in Subic Bay Freeport.

Photo credit: SubicNewsLink

Wilma Eisma, chairman and administrator of Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), said Subic is not only ready for the crowd of vacationers this summer, but also for throngs of the faithful who are expected to observe the Christian traditions of praying, fasting and reconciling with their Maker during the Lenten season.

Eisma said the Subic agency, in partnership with various stakeholder groups, has prepared a weeklong religious program, as well as some cultural presentations for the Holy Week.

The Holy Week, according to Christian tradition, is the culmination of the hallowed forty-day period of sacrifice leading up to Jesus’ death and resurrection. Christians observe the 40 days of Lent that begins on Ash Wednesday to replicate Jesus Christ’s sacrifice and withdrawal into the desert for 40 days.

Eisma said that because of its relative quiet and its peaceful atmosphere, the Subic Bay Freeport has become a favorite spot for religious reflection and meditation.

Subic’s Holy Week presentation starts at 8:30 a.m. on April 14, Palm Sunday, with the re-enactment of the entry of Jesus to Jerusalem and the blessing of palms, locally known as “palaspas.” This will be held at the San Roque Chapel, which was built in the 1800s for Spanish sailors and Filipino converts.

“Pabasa sa Freeport,” which is the chanting of the life, passion and death of Jesus Christ, starts at 9:00 a.m. on Holy Monday and Holy Tuesday also at San Roque Chapel.

On Maundy Thursday, the Mass of the Lord’s Supper and Washing of the Feet will be held at 5:00 p.m., to be followed by Visita Iglesia at 6:00 p.m. to 12:00 mindnight.

Slated on Good Friday are the Stations of the Cross, 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, San Roque Chapel; Guided Way of the Cross Meditation, 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Holy Land Subic Sanctuary, which is located at the Tipo area; and Liturgy of the Word and Veneration of the Cross, 3:00 p.m. at San Roque Chapel.

Visitors will also have the opportunity to join the religious procession on Holy Wednesday and the grand procession on Good Friday at 6:00 p.m. Both will go around Subic’s Central Business District and end at the San Roque Chapel.

The grand event that will culminate the Holy Week here will be the Easter Sunday procession or “Salubong” that will start at 4:00 a.m. on April 21 and proceed along the Manila and Dewey Avenues, pass by the Spanish Gate area, and end at San Roque Chapel.

Meanwhile, SBMA Tourism Department manager Mary Jamelle Camba said that aside from religious activities, the public may also enjoy for free the live musical entertainment program that will start at 7:00 p.m. from April 18 to April 20 at the Boardwalk Event Center.

These musical presentations will showcase the bests of local bands in the Subic Bay area, as well as a gospel healing concert featuring the drama group Centurion’s Servant, the Bethesda Springs of Hope Healing Ministry, as well as singers Julie San Jose, Yael and Karylle Yuzon, and Ku Aquino.

The Holy Mass at 6:00 a.m. on Easter Sunday at San Roque Chapel will be followed by the “Agape Breakfast For All” and the Easter egg hunt for children.

Camba said that in preparation for the expected influx of visitors to Subic, the SBMA Tourism Department has established satellite information offices in four strategic locations in the Freeport to help motorists on their way.

These information centers can be found at the Tipo Toll Plaza, the front of San Roque Chapel, the Total Gas Station in front of Subic Yacht Club, and the Starbucks coffeehouse along Argonaut Hiway.

Camba said these info centers will open from 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. during the entire Holy Week and will also be manned by medical personnel with ambulances on stand-by, police officers, and auto mechanics.

Source: sunstar.com.ph

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