FILIPINO and American soldiers conducted a live-fire exercise using the AT-4 84-mm anti-tank weapon as part of Exercise Salaknib on March 31 in Fernandez Hill, Special Forces School, Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija.
This marked the first time that the soldiers of thh two countries used the anti-tank weapon in a combined training scenario, said Col. Xerxes Trinidad, Philippine Army Public Affairs chief.
The AT-4 84mm anti-tank weapon is a shoulder-borne weapon used by frontline troops to hit targets such as light tanks and armored personnel carriers within the line of sight. Trinidad noted that the exercise provided an opportunity for Philippine Army soldiers to receive professional development and training on the use of this effective anti-tank weapon system.
Exercise Salaknib, which means shield in Ilocano, is an annual combined exercise aimed at bolstering interoperability between the Philippine Army and the U.S. Army Pacific. The first phase of the exercise is set to conclude on April 4, 2023, while its second phase is scheduled for the third quarter of 2023.
This exercise is part of the continued cooperation between the Philippine Army and U.S. Army Pacific, which strengthens the bond between the two countries’ militaries. It allows the soldiers to develop their skills and training, which will be beneficial in future operations.
