THE PHILIPPINE Army and the US Army Pacific wrapped up the eighth iteration of Exercise Salaknib in Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija on April 4, 2023.

5th Infantry Division Commander Maj. Gen. Audrey L. Pasia and Col. Michael A. Van Welie, Deputy Commander for Interoperability of the US Army Pacific’s 25th Infantry Division (25ID), were the guests of honor and speakers.

They commended the 3,000 Filipino and American troops who trained side by side in the first phase of the program.

“To our US friends and counterparts, congratulations and thank you for sharing your time and skills with us during the almost three weeks of our combined training here at Fort Magsaysay. To the members of the Philippine Army who participated in Salaknib, congratulations also as we have also shared with our counterparts our skills in our own kind of operational environment,” Pasia said in his speech.

This year’s iteration of Salakib featured the live firing of the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System and the AT4 84 mm anti-tank weapon.

“With the performance you’ve shown, I am confident that with the combat skills and knowledge we have acquired through this military exercise, we will be able to face the challenges that we may encounter in the future,” 7ID Commander Maj. Gen. Andrew D. Costelo meanwhile said.

Salaknib’s second phase will be held on the second quarter of the year.

Salaknib, which means shield in Ilocano, aims to strengthen. the interoperability of Filipino and American soldiers in various military operations.