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AFP opens ‘DAGIT-PA’ joint exercise
‘DAGIT-PA’ EXERCISE. AFP Education, Training and Doctrine Command commander Marine Maj. Gen. Edgard Arevalo (left) leads the opening of the AFP Joint Exercise (AJEX) “DAGIT-PA” in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City on Monday (Nov.
23, 2020). The AJEX DAGIT-PA is a unilateral exercise that aims to further enhance the joint force interoperability and cohesiveness of the AFP across defense mission areas. (Photo courtesy of AFP Public Affairs Office via PNA)
MANILA – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Monday formally opened the AFP Joint Exercise (AJEX) “DAGIT-PA”.
The opening ceremony was virtually attended by AFP deputy chief-of-staff Rear Adm. Erick Kagaoan who served as keynote speaker, with key officers and personnel participating physically present during the ceremony held at the AFP Education, Training and Doctrine Command (APETDC) in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.
AJEX DAGIT-PA which stands for “Dagat-Langit-Lupa” is a unilateral exercise that aims to further enhance the joint force interoperability and cohesiveness of the AFP across defense mission areas.
“The AFP-wide/AFP-only exercise integrates Philippine Navy, Philippine Air Force, Philippine Army and Special Operations Forces to level up our operational effectiveness in sea, air, and land,” AFP spokesperson and AFPETDC commander Marine Maj. Gen. Edgard Arevalo said in a statement.
Incidentally, Arevalo is also this year’s “DAGIT-PA” exercise director.
This year’s training will be held from Nov. 23 to Dec. 4 in the areas of Northern Luzon Command (NolCom) and General Headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.
It seeks to address current defense and security issues, and harness the capabilities of the AFP’s major services in a joint setting.
More than 1,100 active and reserve soldiers will participate in drills that will focus on territorial defense, internal security operations, humanitarian assistance and disaster response, chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosives (CBRNE), and cyber defense operations.
Major exercises to be held are the amphibious operations and island defense exercises in San Antonio, Zambales; combined arms live-fire exercises in Capas, Tarlac; cyber defense exercises in Camp Aguinaldo, Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City and staff exercises in NolCom headquarters in Tarlac.
The Philippine Army will be utilizing its armored vehicles and combat engineering equipment while the Philippine Navy would deploy missile-frigate BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150) and other ships including patrol and landing docks alongside its helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Air Force would send its FA-50PH jet fighters while the Philippine Marine Corps would deploy its amphibious assault vehicles.
“Our objective is to enhance personnel capacity and capabilities of the joint forces that will enable them to be readily deployable in contingencies concerning maritime security, territorial defense, counterterrorism, and natural disasters and calamities,” Arevalo said.
Meanwhile, the AFP assured that all face-to-face activities during “AJEX DAGIT-PA” will be carried out with strict adherence to health protocols set by the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases.
All participants were also cleared of the virus by authorized medical professionals prior to the start of all activities.
All medical interventions and health protocols in order to mitigate the impact of the virus will be implemented during the conduct of the exercises. Medical services will also be provided to all personnel of the different component forces.
Those who will manifest Covid-19 symptoms will be immediately pulled out from the exercise to be evacuated to the nearest military treatment facility for evaluation.
