Paratrooper dies in Balikatan exercises

MANILA, Philippines - A Philippine Air Force (PAF) paratrooper died in an accident during the joint Balikatan exercises between the Philippines and United States in Zambales yesterday.

Capt. Celeste Frank Sayson, Balikatan 2016 spokesman for the Philippines, declined to identify the soldier but said he was with the PAF’s 710 Special Operations Wing.

The soldier missed the pre-designated landing zone and drowned in Subic Bay, Sayson said.

He added the victim was among 20 Filipino paratroopers who jumped from US-owned C-130 Hercules planes alongside their US counterparts from the 320th Special Training Squadron during a joint high-altitude exercise at Subic Airport.

“This accident happened at about 3:45 p.m. during a proficiency parachute jump exercise between Filipino and US soldiers.”

Due to wind drag, the soldier missed the landing zone and accidentally fell to the sea off Subic airport, Sayson said.

The soldier was recovered by a combined protection team deployed at the drop zone and was rushed to the Unihealth Hospital in Subic, where he died at 5:25 p.m. yesterday.

Over 8,000 Filipino and US servicemen are participating in this year’s exercises, highlighted by the deployment of high mobility artillery rocket system.