An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : Media : News : News Article View
NEWS | March 17, 2022

Army Prepositioned Stock Afloat Equipment Issued to Soldiers for Use in Salaknib 22

By Katie Nelson 402nd AFSB Public Affairs Office

SUBIC BAY, Philippines -- Soldiers from the 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division drew equipment from Army Prepositioned Stock-3, also known as APS afloat, for use during Salaknib 22, which kicked off March 5. Salaknib is an annual bilateral exercise led by the Philippine Army and sponsored by U.S. Army Pacific designed to enhance U.S. and Philippine Army capacity and interoperability.

“Army Prepositioned Stock-3, also known as APS afloat, consists of forward-staged vessels containing combat ready equipment sets, along with the sustainment assets to maintain the equipment in theater,” said Lt. Col. Christopher Manganaro, the commander of Army Field Support Battalion-Charleston. “My battalion maintains and sustains APS-3 when it is forward deployed, such as during this exercise, and also at our home station at Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina when an equipment set goes through its maintenance reset cycle.”

APS-3 is the Army’s only equipment set afloat and provides the warfighter flexibility and agility by housing full operational capable equipment ready and postured to respond quickly in support of combatant commanders’ requirements.

U.S. Naval Ship Red Cloud docked at Subic Bay, Philippines, where the equipment was downloaded and moved to an equipment configuration handoff area, also known as an ECHA, in order to be inventoried and prepared for the tactical ground unit who will use the equipment throughout Salaknib 22.

“The employment of Army Prepositioned Stocks afloat during Salaknib 22 exercises the Army’s strategic readiness capabilities and demonstrates its ability to rapidly project power in the Indo-Pacific theater during competition as well as during crisis and conflict,” said Col. Erik Johnson, commander of the 402nd Army Field Support Brigade overseeing the APS-3 operation.

During a visit to the ECHA, 25th Infantry Division Deputy Commander – Support, Col. Phillip C. Baker, lauded Manganaro for the state the equipment was in.

“AFSBn-Charleston does a fantastic job not only keeping these vehicles fully operational but also having a full set of shop stock and additional materiel my Soldiers will need in the field,” said Baker. “Having the APS capability available in the Indo-Pacific Theater saves time and increases the readiness of the 25th Infantry Division.”

Baker explained that by having equipment ready for them in theater, his Soldiers do not have to prepare their equipment for shipping, and port operations do not need to be conducted to get the unit’s equipment from home station forward.

“Focus can be on mission planning rather than equipment preparation knowing they will receive equipment in excellent shape. Saving weeks and weeks of time, that’s what APS-3 is all about,” said Baker.

Once the ECHA team verified all the equipment was at full operational capability, the Soldiers arrived at the site for AFSBn-Charleston to issue the vehicles to the unit.

“We staged the ECHA in a very deliberate way to facilitate a seamless issue to the 25th Infantry Division Soldiers,” said Manganaro. “The planning between all coordinating organizations was critical and because of that, the equipment draw was successful.”
CONNECT WITH USINDOPACOM
Facebook

Like Us
X
362,740
Follow Us

ENGAGE & CONNECT MORE WITH PACOM

                                                 

IN THE USINDOPACOM NEWS
Readout of Assistant Secretary of Defense Ely Ratner's Meeting with Papua New Guinea's Deputy Prime Minister John Rosso
March 6, 2024 - Department of Defense Spokesman LTC Marty Meiners provided the following readout...

USAF F-35s integrate with Singapore forces
A Republic of Singapore Air Force F-15SG and U.S. Air Force F-35 Lightning II participate in bilateral training over Singapore, March 4, 2024. The bilateral training encompassed the USAF F-35 and RSAF F-15 and F-16 aircraft flying together to improve interoperability and cohesion amongst the partner services. Partnership activities enhance trust and increase global stability, security and prosperity while upholding international law and promoting shared values. (Republic of Singapore Air Force photo by CPL Timothy Khor)
March 6, 2024 - U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning IIs participated in bilateral training with Republic of Singapore Air Force at Paya Lebar Air Base, Singapore for the first time March 4 – 7...

7th Fleet Destroyer transits Taiwan Strait
TAIWAN STRAIT (March 5, 2024) The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS John Finn (DDG 113) conducts routine operations during a Taiwan Strait transit, March 5. John Finn is forward-deployed and assigned to Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15, the Navy’s largest DESRON and the U.S. 7th Fleet’s principal surface force. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Justin Stack)
March 5, 2024 - The Arleigh-Burke guided missile class destroyer USS John Finn (DDG 113) conducted a routine south-to-north Taiwan Strait transit on March 5, 2024...

U.S. Coast Guard conduct combined patrol with Marshallese partners under Operation Blue Pacific
The USCGC Oliver Henry (WPC 1140) crew take a moment for a photo with members of the Sea Patrol on Feb. 22, 2024, in Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands. Underway in support of Operation Blue Pacific, the cutter crew showcased the effectiveness of the U.S. and RMI maritime bilateral agreement, conducting a shared patrol with shipriders emphasizing collaborative efforts in maritime safety, security, and stewardship in terms of resource protection. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)
March 5, 2024 - Following efforts with Kiribati partners, the USCGC Oliver Henry (WPC 1140) crew recently concluded the next leg of their expeditionary patrol from Feb. 20 to 27, 2024, spending time in Majuro, Wotje Atoll, and the Exclusive...

U.S. Air Force strengthens ties, bolster tactical airlift interoperability in exercise with Bangladesh Air Force
U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Krista McGraw, 18th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron noncommissioned officer in charge of mission scheduling, showcases a medical supply kit to Bangladesh Air Force medics during an AE demonstration in support of Cope South 2024, Feb. 27, 2024, near BAF Bangabandhu Cantonment, Bangladesh. CS24, a Pacific Air Forces-sponsored bilateral tactical airlift exercise, provides airlift training for U.S. and Bangladeshi aircrews in aircraft generation and recovery, low-level navigation, tactical airdrop, and air-land missions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Tristan Truesdell)
March 5, 2024 - Nearly 80 U.S. Air Force service members and two C-130J Super Hercules aircraft from the 36th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron (EAS) integrated with Bangladesh for the bilateral tactical airlift exercise, Cope South 2024 (CS24)...