Bagong Calarian, Zamboanga City – The Naval Forces Western Mindanao through its Naval Task Force-61 conducted a Synchronized Naval Guns Test Firing (NGTF) near the Dassalan Island, Hadji Muhtamad, Basilan Province.
The NGTF, a quarterly requirement for PN Ready for Sea Surface Assets to ensure that their guns are properly operating and the men behind the guns are consistently proficient and skilled to operate them. Jibe with the conduct of said activity, a unilateral exercise dubbed as “Littoral Patrol Exercise 2024.”
The exercise was also conducted to take advantage of the opportunity and to enhance and sustain the interoperability of surface and air assets deployed in Western Mindanao especially in the conduct of swarming tactics. Likewise, as critical aspects of interoperability among forces, gunnery and communication exercises were also conducted to test the ability of the litorral combat forces to effectively engage the target during swarming tactics.
Further, the NTF61 also conducted events including: Officer of the Watch (OOW) Maneuvers, Photo Exercise (PHOTOEX), Maritime Air Surveillance/ Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (MAS/ ISR) and Maritime Interdiction Operation (MIO).
The exercise was participated by littoral combat forces assets and an air asset, namely: BRP General Mariano Alvarez (PS38), cyclone-class patrol ship; two Fast-attack Interdiction Crafts (FAIC) BRP Nestor Acero (PG901) and BRP Domingo Deluana (PG905); two Boat Attacks (BA) from the 1st BA Division (BA485, BA487), and a Britten Norman Islander aircaft NV311.
The exercise concluded safely with all objectives met. This is in ensuring that the Navy in the Western Mindanao area of responsibility is always ready to protect the people and the state while maintaining the peace and development in the area.
