Around 1,200 soldiers and airmen from the Philippine Army and the Philippine Air Force wrapped up their fifth annual Interoperability Exercise on October 24, 2026, at the Antique Airport in San Jose de Buenavista, Antique — the first time the joint drill was held in the Western Visayas.
The exercise, formally designated PAF-PA IOX 05-2026, ran for one week and strengthened the joint response of the two services to maritime and coastal threats, according to a Philippine Army press release.
Coastal Threat Scenario in Bugasong
In the field training exercise in the coastal part of Bugasong, Antique, a simulated opposing force launched an amphibious landing. Joint Army and Air Force forces responded and neutralized the threat through coordinated land and air operations.
Range of Joint Military Activities
The Philippine Army said the week-long drill included air-to-ground coordination, air support, artillery operations, ground maneuver, aviation mobility, casualty evacuation, airborne insertion, and search-and-rescue activities. Through these realistic scenarios, the two services demonstrated the integration of their capabilities across the land and air domains.
Strengthening the Two Services
The annual exercise strengthened personnel coordination and operational roles between the Army and the Air Force, the two major services, and integrated their capabilities in support of joint missions.
Tied to Archipelagic Defense
According to the Philippine Army, PAF-PA IOX 05-2026 also supports the AFP's Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Operations.
Photo credit: 3DPAO, 3ID / Philippine Army