Navy, PAF to hold exercises in Zambo City

MANILA, Philippines - The Navy and the Philippine Air Force (PAF) will hold the annual Dagit exercise from Nov. 12 to 17 to enhance their operability and improve their maritime security capabilities. 

Navy spokesman Col. Omar Tonsay said more than 300 soldiers will participate in the five-day drills to be held in Zamboanga City. 

A total of 200 sailors, 124 airmen and 20 observers from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Joint Staff for Training, AFP Joint and Combined Training Center and Western Mindanao will be involved in the trainings. 

Five ships, an Islander aircraft, and six air assets will be used during the exercises.

“The joint training activity aims to enhance competencies and capabilities of participating Navy and PAF personnel on Joint Air-Surface Operations and Senior Leader’s Forum,” Tonsay said in a statement.  

“It also aims to test and assess the response mechanism of Navy and PAF units for the Coast Watch System and in maritime domain awareness in general,” he added. 

The exercise will open on Nov. 12 at the PAF Third Air Division Multi-Purpose Hall in Zamboanga City. 

Tonsay said the activity will be conducted in three phases. The preparation phase consists of coordinating conferences and event scheduling.

The exercise phase will include subject matter expertise exchanges, air-ground operations seminar, air support, and administrative matters. 

It will also include drills on maritime surveillance, search and rescue, maritime interdiction operations and casualty evacuation, subject matter expertise exchanges, air-ground operations seminar, close air support, heliborne operations, aerial spotting, and communications drills. 

The termination phase will involve the conduct of sporting events and a closing ceremony.