50 Coast Guard personnel joining CARAT

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Coast Guard will be sending 50 personnel to the nine-day Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) that begins today in Mindanao.

Coast Guard spokesman Lieutenant Commander Armand Balilo yesterday said divers from the Special Operations Group (SOG), medical personnel, Coast Guard Air Group (CGAG), Anti-Terrorism Unit and from the public affairs office (PAO) would be deployed to the joint military exercise.

“The training exchange with the United States Coast Guard (USCG) would be very helpful. The USCG would have techniques to share and on our part, we also have experiences to share… This is an opportunity to exchange knowledge and expand maritime security network through training and capability,” Balilo said.

Balilo emphasized the bilateral training exercise comes at an opportune time as the Coast Guard faces many challenges. “Considering the challenges that we are now facing, these training exercises would be useful to us,” he said.

The Coast Guard carries many responsibilities on its shoulders, he pointed out.

The maritime agency does not only perform search and rescue (SAR) operations on water, but also on land.

“We also have to face the challenges brought about by climate change, oil explorations, maritime security and (our being) deputized by several government agencies,” Balilo added.

Coast Guard commandant Vice Admiral Edmund Tan directed its SAR vessel BRP Pampanga and the PCG Helo 1636 to join the exercise.

The Pampanga and its 50 personnel have already linked up with US counterpart USCG Waesche that docked at the city’s Makar Wharf with 150 personnel yesterday in time for the opening of the joint naval and maritime exercises.

Pampanga was the first government vessel deployed in Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal right after the pullout of the Navy’s flagship last month to de-escalate the tension in the area which China has been claiming as an integral part of its maritime domain.

Four Philippine Navy warships – BRP Magat Salamat, BRP Miguel Malvar, BRP Salvador Abecede and BRP Teotimo Figuracion and US Navy’s USS Vandegrift and USNS Safeguard will participate in the exercises.

The naval exercises will also involve 400 Philippine Navy sailors and 350 US servicemen.

The Philippine Navy is also deploying one of its islander planes while the US is providing the P3C Orion surveillance and monitoring aircraft.

An SH-60B US Navy helicopter will also conduct airlift and rescue exercises in tandem with the Philippine Coast Guard’s B0-105CB helicopter.

General Santos City Mayor Darlene Antonino Custodio said the launching of the joint naval and maritime training in the city would allow the Philippine Navy, the Coast Guard and those in charge of defending the country’s maritime territory to learn and acquire new techniques from their US counterparts.

“The CARAT should give us the technology and develop the skills of our military personnel with the help of the US,” Antonino said.

The Philippine Coast Guard is regarded as one of the most challenged coast guards in the world. The Philippines has the fourth longest coastline in the world, next to Indonesia, Russia and Canada.

During the CARAT exercise, they would also be able to strengthen their relationship and enhance the mutual cooperation between the PCG, Philippine Navy, US Navy and US Coast Guard. They would address shared security concerns such as maritime defense, port security, resource protection and disaster response.

To maximize interaction between the two countries, this year’s exercise also includes activities at all levels of ship’s crew including personnel exchange, social and sports competitions. Civilian and military operation activities and community relations are also part of the exercise to improve the quality of life and the general health and welfare of local civilian residents.

There would also be a three-phase exercise. The first phase or the “Pre-underway/In Port Phase” includes the conduct of Combined Enterprise Regional Information Exchange System (CENTRIXS) installation and training to respective personnel, Coast Watch Stations engagement, Operations Conference.

Phase two, also called, “AT SEA Phase,” includes the Gunnery Exercise, Publication Exercise, Flashing Exercise, Flag Hoist Drill, Medical Evacuation Exercise and Search and Rescue Exercise that are expected to add additional knowledge, new techniques and skills to PCG personnel who are performing such duties. 

Lastly, the “Post-underway” includes Maritime Domain Awareness Flight, Sports/Fun games between participating forces, After-Action Review/Critic and the closing ceremony. – With Jaime Laude