THE Philippine Army and the Australian Army capped off the month-long Exercise Kasangga in a closing ceremony at the 5th Infantry Division’s (5ID) headquarters in Camp Melchor Dela Cruz, Upi, Gamu, Isabela on June 17, 2024.
A total of 100 troops from the 86th Infantry Battalion, 5ID trained side by side with 50 personnel from the 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, Australian Army in various warfighting exercises. PA training participants and their Australian counterparts shared techniques, tactics, and procedures in jungle and urban operations, breaching operations, tactical casualty care, jungle survival training, mortar and drone operations, logistics, signal operations, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance operations. Exercise Kasangga also involved sharing operational experiences in countering and conquering terrorist groups and external security threats.
5ID Commander Maj. Gen. Audrey L. Pasia and Lt. Col. Tim Lopsik, Assistant Defense Attaché of Australia to the Philippines, graced the closing ceremony. In his speech, Maj. Gen. Pasia called on the training participants to utilize the lessons learned in Exercise Kasangga to guide them toward continued collaboration, cooperation, and success in their shared efforts to ensure peace and security in their respective countries.
