TRADOC conducts 11-day JCATEX in Fort Magsaysay

From the Philippine News Agency (Dec 21): TRADOC conducts 11-day JCATEX in Fort Magsaysay

In line with efforts to strengthen the Philippine Army's war fighting capabilities, the Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) has conducted a 11-day Joint Combined Arms Training Exercise (JCATEX) held in Fort Ramon Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija which formally ended Monday.

Capt. Alberto Caber, TRADOC spokesperson, said 694 students of different career courses such as Combat Arms School; Combat Support School; Combat Service Support School; Army Leadership Development Center; The Armor School; The Intelligence School; and Civil-Military Operations School.

Highlights of the activity are military operation in urban terrain; battle drills and situational exercises; field training exercises; live fire exercises of 105 howitzers and mortars; and command post exercise.

In addition, two engineer platoon students of the Philippine Navy also took their part in the exercise while the Philippine Air Force also performed close air support, troops insertion and casualty evacuation exercises.
  
TRADOC chief Brig. Gen. Herminigildo Aquino said the recently-concluded JCATEX will prepare participants to incorporate joint, inter-agency, intergovernmental and indigenous actors into combined arms teams in order to attain the success of an effects-based operation.

“By synchronizing combined arms and applying them simultaneously, maneuver units can achieve a greater effect. To integrate all arms into the fight, maneuver leaders must have an understanding of systems’ capabilities and employment methods that go beyond individual branch competencies.

Importantly, maneuver leaders must be able to integrate, not only Army, but also Air Force and Navy service capabilities into operations with a particular emphasis on joint intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and fire capabilities,” he added.

The implementation of JCATEX is in compliance with the directive of higher headquarters geared to infuse in each and every participant realistic scenarios measuring their preparedness in facing combat.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=949951