Marksmanship training with Philippines forces

Soldiers from 2nd Commando Regiment have conducted marksmanship training with US and Philippines personnel as part of Exercise Balikatan.

The training included advanced marksmanship principles relating to body positioning, spotter dialogue and long-range marksmanship.

The training was held at Fort Magsaysay, about two hours north of Manila on 1 May.

One of the soldiers from 2 Commando Regiment said the training gave the Australians an opportunity to assist personnel from the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

“These guys have solid proficiency so we are helping them to further develop their skills,” he said.

“We are able to pass on techniques that we have found useful and over the day we have already seen them improve.”

A US 1st Special Forces Group non-commissioned officer said that having the members of 2 Commando Regiment involved was important for developing the skills of the marksman from the Armed Forces of the Philippines .

“The Australians do things a little bit differently and have different experiences to me and my team, so having them involved gave the Filipino guys a wider range of experiences to draw from,” he said.

A Philippines Army corporal participating in the exercise said the training had been beneficial.

“It has been good to join the forces because we have been able to exchange ideas and techniques,” he said.

Exercise Balikatan is an annual Philippines-United States activity that features bilateral military training and humanitarian assistance engagement.