Camp O’Donnell, Capas Tarlac – The PH-US Exercise SALAKNIB 2023 between the Philippine Army and the United States Army Pacific (USARPAC) officially opened at Headquarters of 1st Brigade Combat Team (1BCT), Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija on 13 March 2023.

          The Training and Doctrine Command, Philippine Army under the sterling leadership of Brigadier General Luis Rex D Bergante, took the challenge as the primary unit responsible in the overall implementation of the PH-US Exercise SALAKNIB 2023. The Opening Ceremony was graced by Lieutenant General Romeo S Brawner Jr, Commanding General, Philippine Army together with Lieutenant General Xavier Brunson, Commanding General, l Corps, US Army.

          Brigadier General Alvin V Flores, TRADOC Deputy Commander, is designated as the Exercise Control Group Director for the SALAKNIB 2023 to ensure the smooth implementation of the exercise in achieving its desired goals of interoperability between the two countries.

          During the Ceremony, LtGen Brawner congratulates the organizers for a vigorous and invaluable Salaknib 2023. “Every joint exercise has broadened our understanding of how each of our forces tackles different scenarios, from territorial defense to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to terrorism. Indeed, there is more we can learn from each other, and much more that we can do together, in the interest of indo-pacific security and wider regional connectivity. All these we have learned and worked on from the seeds of mutual defense treaties and bilateral exercises, the key platforms which have paved the way for like-minded nations and freedom-loving people to continue to work together for a peaceful and progressive global community”, LtGen Brawner emphasized in his message. LtGen Brunson also extends his heartfelt thank to the participants of the Salaknib 2023 and for the eventual success of the activity.

          Salaknib is a bilateral annual exercise between the U.S. Army Pacific and by the Philippine Army designed to contribute and enhance the U.S. and Philippine defense readiness and tactical interoperability while establishing the relationship between the two enduring partners.