Manila, April 9 -- Participants of the "Salaknib" exercises from the Philippine Army (PA) and the US Army Pacific (USARPAC) have conducted a series of drills that would increase interoperability between Filipino and American military units.

Army spokesperson Col. Louie Dema-ala, in a media statement Wednesday, said these drills, under the first phase of the exercises, include radio communication, field artillery live fire, sling load operations using helicopters, and medical evacuation.

He added that these "subject matter expert exchanges" (SMEEs), crucial in warfighting functions, took place in Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija.

Dema-ala also said PA and USARPAC signalers have trained to familiarize and operate each other's radio equipme...