Between 24th March and 11th April, at Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City, Philippines, the Philippine Army (PA) and the United States Army Pacific (USARPAC) conducted a joint training called ‘Salaknib’. It was part of ‘Salaknib and Balikatan’ (SABAK) 2025 exercise, aimed at enhancing land defence capabilities of both armies.
Within the ‘Salaknib’ training, about 5,000 soldiers, including 3,000 from PA and 2,000 US Army medics, participated in a Subject Matter Expert Exchange (SMEE) focused on medical evacuation (MEDEVAC).
Led by US soldiers from Charlie Company, 3rd Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment ‘Lightning Dustoff’, the MED 101 course provided Philippine and US soldiers with critical hands-on training in MEDEVAC procedures, equipment handling and patient transport techniques for joint operations in austere environments.
The training began with a ground demonstration featuring some of essential medical tools during which the soldiers were introduced to the compact roll-out stretcher used to stabilise patients, as well as the components of the extraction system – including the extraction ropes and jungle penetrator. The US instructors demonstrated how the system works, highlighting proper patient attachment with the ropes as well as his balance and safety during extraction.
Through the joint training, the PA and USARPAC soldiers had the opportunity to familiarise themselves with life-saving equipment in a realistic environment. And that is something that benefits both the instructors and the trainees.
‘Mostly, we’re just trying to familiarize people with the equipment we use, but it’s also good for us, getting hands-on with a lot of that gear again. You can’t really teach experience, so it’s nice for us to get out there and work with it too.’ – said Staff Sgt. Eleanora Raffaele, a flight paramedic with Charlie Company of the ‘Lightning Dustoff’.
According to Staff Sgt. Raffaele, the opportunity to train with the Philippine Army added even more value to the day’s mission.
‘We don’t usually get to work with them, so it was great to be able to walk them through it and help everyone of them to get familiar with the systems we use.’ – she emphasized.
The ground training was followed by the practical part of the exercise involving the US Army MEDEVAC helicopter, during which the Philippine Army soldiers, guided by the US flight medics, had the opportunity to carry out an aerial hoisting using a jungle penetrator.
Such trainings highlight the growing partnership between the Philippines and the US Armed Forces reinforcing a joint commitment to readiness, trust and seamless coordination in future joint operations in the Indo-Pacific region.
The second part of the ‘Salaknib’ exercise is scheduled for 15th May – 20th July 2025, and once again will be hosted by Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City and the area of operations of the Isabela-based 5th Infantry Division and the Nueva Ecija-headquartered 7th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army.
Cover photo: The training included a full hoist exercise using a MEDEVAC-configured U.S. Army helicopter. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Taylor Gray, U.S. Army Pacific Public Affairs)
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