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PH, US troops train on airfield repair, ordnance disposal

Philippine News Agency

By Priam Nepomuceno
May 6, 2025, 10:52 am Updated on May 6, 2025, 3:28 pm

MANILA -- Philippine Army (PA) engineers along with their American counterparts have trained together as part of efforts to enhance their capabilities in airfield damage repair (ADR) and explosive ordnance disposal (EOD).

In a statement Tuesday, PA spokesperson Col. Louie Dema-ala said these training activities are part of the ongoing "Balikatan" exercises and involved troops from the Army's 53rd Engineer Brigade along with US military personnel.

He added that the ADR and EOD training activities started in Cebu last April 21 when "Balikatan" formally started.

The ADR expert exchange focused on lectures on ADR familiarization, crater repair, formworks installation, and crushed stone restoration.

These lectures were followed by simulation exercises in front of the Visayas Command Grandstand.

Subsequently, practical ADR training exercises were conducted at Camp Cadre, Poblacion Medellin, Cebu, where participants had the opportunity to apply the knowledge gained from the lectures and assessments in a realistic field environment.

The annual military drills between Filipino and American units are expected to conclude this May 9.

"ADR and EOD skills are crucial in ensuring mission success as they ensure operational continuity through the rapid restoration of damaged runways and removal of explosive hazards," Dema-la said.

Meanwhile, 53rd Engineer Brigade commander Brig. Gen. Maynard Camarao described the training exercises as a "strategic investment in readiness, resilience, and friendship" that highlights the enduring value of Philippine-US cooperation in enhancing regional security and strengthening disaster response efforts.

Exercise "Balikatan", which means "shoulder-to-shoulder" in Filipino, is one of the longest-standing bilateral military exercises between the Philippines and the United States.

The drills aim to strengthen the alliance between the two nations while bolstering combined and joint force capabilities and demonstrating a shared commitment to regional stability in the Indo-Pacific Region. (PNA)