FORT BONIFACIO, Metro Manila - Senior leaders of Philippine Army and U.S. Army Pacific (USARPAC) units that will be part of the 2023 iteration of Exercise Salaknib held a bilateral conference at Conrad Hotel, Pasay City on February 8, 2023.
Senior leaders from both armies discussed the refinement of existing engagement frameworks by building on the lessons from previous Salaknib exercises. They also explored further engagement opportunities consistent with the intent of the said bilateral exercise.
7th Infantry Division (7ID) Commander Maj. Gen. Andrew D. Costelo, 5th Infantry Division (5ID) Commander Maj. Gen. Audrey L. Pasia, and key officers from the Headquarters Philippine Army took part in the conference. Meanwhile, USARPAC 25th Infantry Division (25ID) Commanding General Maj. Gen. Joseph A. Ryan led the USARPAC delegation.
PA and USARPAC are set to stage a scaled-up iteration of Exercise Salaknib in two phases this year. Salaknib’s first phase, which will precede Exercise Balikatan, is slated for the first quarter while the second phase is scheduled for the second quarter. Exercise Salaknib is projected to include around 3,000 troops from USARPAC's 25ID and Philippine Army's 7ID, 5ID, and 1st Brigade Combat Team, the Army's premier combined arms unit.
Photos by Private Angelica Rose Valderrama PA/ OACPA