Salaknib 2026: Joint Planning and Digital Integration Drive Operational Maneuver

FORT MAGSAYSAY, Philippines — A column of heavy armor and tactical vehicles traveled across the island of Luzon in an undeniable display of combat power. But the true strength of a massive, combined military convoy navigating archipelagic terrain isn’t found in the engines; it’s found in the meticulous joint planning that puts those vehicles in motion.

During Operational Maneuver 2026, a critical phase of Exercise Salaknib, the U.S. Army’s 25th Infantry Division and the Philippine Army demonstrated their ability to seamlessly plan, project, and sustain forces across sea, land, and air.

The apex of the ground operation was a combined Ground Assault Convoy. U.S. forces from the 3rd Mobile Brigade and elements of the Philippine Army’s 5th Infantry Division maneuvered from Bagabag Airfield to seize objectives at Camp Dela Cruz.

“Moving personnel and heavy equipment across this terrain is an immense logistical challenge,” said 1st Lt. James Murphy, a platoon leader with Alpha Company, 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Mobile Brigade, 25th Infantry Division. “We relied heavily on our Philippine Army counterparts and their deep understanding of the local infrastructure. We couldn’t have executed a movement of this scale without integrated planning.”

Throughout the exercise, the 25th ID maintained a continuous presence within the 5th ID headquarters to synchronize every aspect of the maneuver. This ensured an efficient movement while minimizing the impact on local communities.

Philippine Army Col. Rean Ante, the training officer for the 5th Infantry Division, stationed at Camp Dela Cruz, emphasized the strategic value of the rehearsal.

“Rehearsing these complex ground maneuvers ensures our forces can operate as a unified team,” he said. “Our ability to plan together directly correlates to our ability to respond together to any crisis.”

The Ground Assault Convoy was just one piece of the operational puzzle. Before the convoy departed, U.S. Army logistical elements and the Philippine Army’s 9th Infantry Division executed an upload of armored personnel and utility vehicles onto a U.S. Army Logistics Support Vessel at Port Tabaco, followed by a download at Port Casiguran, demonstrating the ability of the partner forces to deploy combat power anywhere. The ship carrying the vehicles entered Casiguran Inlet, supported by unmanned surface vessels; a swarm of small autonomous boats with radar capability that can secure and defend a waterway.

Simultaneously, the operation showcased rapid power projection. At Lal-lo Airfield, a U.S. Air Force C-130 executed a rapid insertion mission, swiftly offloading a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), proving the ability for the allied nations to rapidly deploy, launch, and move long-range precision-fires where needed at will. Concurrently, helicopters from the 25th Combat Aviation Brigade transported 3rd Mobile Brigade Soldiers to secure objectives on Calayan Island via a combined air assault.

“When you are in the fight, communicating across different platforms, you see the payoff of the rehearsals,” said Cpl. Austin Branch, a team leader in the 3rd Mobile Brigade. “Working with the Philippine Army soldiers, you realize our tactical fundamentals are incredibly aligned.”

Behind the scenes of these kinetic events, the 25th ID executed Lightning Surge 4, a major operational demonstration that synchronized split operations between Hawaii and the Philippines. Serving as the digital backbone of the maneuver, Lightning Surge 4 refined next-generation command-and-control capabilities across vast strategic distances.

Forward-deployed sustainment teams leveraged the NGC2 data architecture at the tactical edge. Utilizing advanced networking in an austere environment, these elements demonstrated the ability to transition from reactive logistics to predictive sustainment.

Ultimately, Lightning Surge 4 highlighted how rapidly prototyping these transformative technologies allows the Army to anticipate and deliver continuous support, sustaining combat power in any environment.

Exercise Salaknib highlights the enduring U.S.-Philippine alliance, enhancing interoperability and readiness through combined arms operations, multi-domain integration, and humanitarian assistance efforts for regional stability.