The Philippine Army (PA), through the 2nd Infantry Division (2ID), and the Australian Defence Force (ADF) commenced the Philippine-Australia Army-to-Army Exercise (PAAAE) “KASANGGA” 23-2 in an opening ceremony at Camp Capinpin, Tanay, Rizal on May 15, 2023.
114 soldiers from 2ID will train side-by-side with 43 Australian soldiers during the bilateral exercises which will culminate on June 23, 2023. They will train together in urban operations combat tracking; jungle warfare and survival training; long-range marksmanship; tactical combat casualty care; sensitive site exploitation, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance operations; and small unit leader’s training through an exchange of tactics, techniques, and procedures.
Australian Defense Attaché to the Philippines Col. Paul Joseph Barta said Australian troops will learn jungle warfare and survival skills from 2ID soldiers known for their moniker "Jungle Fighters". Meanwhile, 2ID Assistant Division Commander Brig. Gen. Augusto V. Villareal said Filipino troops will learn urban operations knowledge and skills from their Australian counterparts.
Exercise Kasangga 23-2—an annual bilateral training exercise that is anchored on the Philippines-Australia Defense Engagement Plan for July 2022 to July 2023—will bolster Army-to-Army ties and interoperability between the two ground forces.
Photos by Corporal Josel P. Sucayan PA/OACPA