Talon Vision ends

CLARK FIELD, Pampanga — The 12-day US-RP Talon Vision and Amphibious Landing Exercise (Phiblex) officially ended last Saturday.

In closing ceremonies held at the Officers’ Club here, PAF Lt. Col. Julius Guillermo, director of operations of the 600th Air Base wing, said there is no doubt that the activity was a great success.

Philippine Marine Col. Rustico Guerrero, superintendent of the Marine Corps Training Center, said the "training played a crucial part in enhancing operational effectiveness and efficiency in any military organization."

The exercises started last Oct. 16 with the goal of "improving interoperability, increasing readiness, and continuing professional relations between the US Armed Forces and the Armed Forces of the Philippines."

US Marine Brig. Gen. Joseph Medina, the commanding general of the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, said "Talon Vision and the Amphibious Landing Exercise have been a success, and they have contributed much to the training of both nations."

"We have established a stronger bond and relationship between the militaries of our two nations. Whether it was bilateral training, coastal patrol interdiction with the Philippine Navy and Marine Corps, close air support with the Philippine Air Force, jungle environment survival training, live fire exercises, or civil military operations, our forces have demonstrated the team concept throughout," Medina said.

Congratulating the American and Filipino participants, 600th airbase wing commander Brig. Gen. Gilbert Llanto, who was the guest of honor during the closing ceremonies, said the conduct of the exercises was "well done".

He also expressed his gratitude for the humanitarian projects that were held throughout the exercises. The US military spent about $60,000 for the projects.

The only incident that marred the conduct of the exercises was the accident that injured PAF pilots 1st Lt. Maureen Fajardo and Capt. Villamor Feria, who both sustained minor bruises after their OV-10 Bronco bomber skidded on the runway of the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport here last Oct. 24. The landing gear and right engine were damaged.

The PAF grounded all its OV-10 bombers pending results of the investigation of the incident.