NUEVA ECIJA, PHILIPPINES – Filipino and American soldiers teamed up for bilateral Sling Load Tactical Operations training as part of the ongoing Exercise Salaknib, further boosting joint combat readiness and interoperability between the two allied forces.
Held in Central Luzon, the training focused on transporting equipment and supplies via helicopter sling loads — a critical skill for rapid deployment in both combat and humanitarian missions.
The exercise is part of Salaknib 2025, an annual U.S.-Philippines military drill aimed at strengthening regional security and ensuring both forces are prepared to respond to a range of scenarios in the Indo-Pacific region.
Officials say the drills underscore the deepening defense ties between Manila and Washington amid growing geopolitical challenges in the region.