MANILA, Philippines -- The Armed Forces of the Philippines and U.S. Army Pacific will participate in Exercise Salaknib 2019, which will be conducted in and around Fort Magsaysay, Palayan, and Nueva Ecija, Philippines from March 4 to 24, 2019. The U.S. Army 7th Infantry Division Commander Maj. Gen. Willard M. Burleson III and Philippine Army 7th Infantry Division Acting Commander Brig. Gen. Lenard T. Agustin presided over the opening ceremony today, Feb. 28, 2019.

Salaknib is an annual, bilateral exercise sponsored by U.S. Army Pacific and hosted by the Philippine Army. The exercise will contribute to and enhance U.S. and Philippine defense readiness and tactical interoperability while strengthening multinational relationships.

More than 1,600 soldiers will participate in this year’s exercise, consisting of a jungle field training exercise (FTX), a bilateral Command Post Exercise (CPX), various Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEEs), as well as Cooperative Health Engagements (CHE) and Humanitarian Civic Action (HCA) projects.

Exercise Salaknib 2019 provides a venue for the exchange of tactics, techniques, and procedures for Humanitarian Assistance Disaster Relief (HADR) operations, demonstrating U.S. and Philippine resolve to support the security interests of allies and partners in the region.