FORT MAGSAYSAY, Philippines – U.S. and Philippine Army soldiers have begun their Combined Arms Rehearsals (CAR) as part of Exercise Salaknib 2024. This marks the start of their intensive training leading up to the Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center-Exportable (JPMRC-X) exercise, which will take place on Fort Magsaysay, located in central Luzon, from June 1 to June 10.
The military senior leadership of the U.S. and the Philippines engaged in the CAR, refining their tactics, coordinating maneuvers, logistics, medical care, and synchronizing their plans. The CAR serves as a crucial event for the major operational movements during JPMRC-X.
“CARs are critical to ensure operations go to plan and ensure all those participating in the mission are on the same page,” said U.S. Army Maj. Tyson Choe, the 25th Infantry Division information operations officer. “I’ve trained across the globe for the last 12 years, training with partner nations, and I’m impressed with how our Philippines counterparts are taking a lead effort as part of this CAR.”
JPMRC is founded on the principles of learning how to fight, teaching how to train, and creating readiness. The program simulates combat scenarios by emphasizing every aspect of warfighting. CARs are an integral part of training that brings the exercise to life. When commenting on the importance of military rehearsals, a Philippine soldier shares his thoughts.
“Rehearsals are very important, and this rehearsal has been helpful, especially on the territorial defense operations,” said Philippines Army Maj. Rogelio Dumbrigue, deputy civil-military operations officer in the 7th Infantry Division. “Today’s combined rehearsals are a good start to continuing our established teamwork with our U.S partners and better understanding the overall plan.”
During the CAR, both U.S. and Philippine commanders and their staffs can visualize the terrain, enemy, and friendly units arranged by military action in time, space, and purpose. This visual impression of the tactical plan is crucial to rehearsals.
“This was my first combine rehearsal and I have learned a lot,” said Dumbrigue. “Working closely with our U.S partners during the rehearsal has provided a visual plan we both can work on and better understand the operation.”
Combined Arms Rehearsals help organizations visualize, clarify, and synchronize critical actions before execution. They also provide a platform for the commander to convey intent and guidance directly to subordinates in person.
“A U.S. Division staff and Philippine Division staff have formed a Combined Army staff and worked together shoulder-to-shoulder to prepare a tactical operations order, conduct a rehearsal and brief it all together,” said U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Dave Zinn, the 25th Infantry Division Deputy Commanding General of Operations. “This is a giant step forward towards the interoperability we are interested in with this exercise.”
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