The Philippine Army and the Australian Army conducted the joint opening and closing ceremony for the Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the Philippines-Australia Army-to-Army Exercise (PAAAE) “Kasangga” 23-2 at the headquarters of the 2nd Infantry “Junglefighter” Division (2ID) at Camp Capinpin, Sampaloc, Tanay, Rizal on June 5, 2023.
The 21st Division Reconnaissance Company (21DRC), 2ID trained with a platoon from the Australian Army during Kasangga’s Phase 1 from May 15, 2023 to June 5, 2023. Meanwhile, personnel from the 22DRC, 2ID are training side-by-side with another platoon from the Australian Army during Kasangga’s Phase 2 from June 5, 2023 to June 23, 2023.
Exercise Kasangga 23-2 is the thirteenth (13th) iteration of PAAAE between Philippine Army and ADF. The current iteration of PAAAE is anchored on the Philippines-Australia Defense Engagement Plan for July 2022 to July 2023.
“Kasangga is the realization of our shared belief in the importance of training, readiness, and interoperability with partners, particularly in the context of the current international security environment,” Army Commanding General Lt. Gen. Romeo S. Brawner Jr. said in his keynote message. Lt. Gen. Brawner likewise highlighted the importance of Exercise Kasangga in bolstering the interoperability of Filipino and Australian troops.
Photos by SSg Cesar P. Lopez PA/ OACPA