BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO
CABANATUAN CITY (April 27)—Nueva Ecija-based Philippine Army’s (PA) Fort Magsaysay will host United States (US) soldiers from the 5th Security Force Assistance Brigade (5th SFAB) in bilateral training events taking place starting this month until June this year.
According to the US Embassy, the 5th SFAB arrived in the Philippines last month to conduct their first-ever partner training rotation with their engagements to take place primarily at the Fort Magsaysay.
It said the 5th SFAB and the PA will conduct subject matter expert exchanges across the spectrum of military operations to include communications, logistics and unit training management.
Captain Oleg Sheynfeld, SFAB team commander in the Philippines, said through these combined engagements, US soldiers will learn and train alongside Philippine partners, sharing best practices and collaborating on areas of mutual interest, laying the groundwork for future exercises between the two nations.
“We are very excited to train with our Philippine partners. Throughout our rotation we will conduct subject matter expert exchanges to increase interoperability between our forces across the spectrum of military operations,” Sheynfeld said.
Comprised of about 20 highly-skilled, hand-selected soldiers capable of providing advanced training expertise in military specialties like communications, logistics and medical aid, the team is part of the 5th SFAB’s Force Package 21-1, which began employing U.S. soldiers into the Indo-Pacific in January 2021.
Sheynfeld said collectively, the 5th SFAB team brings with them more than 100 years of military experience.
Col. Ramon Zagala, PA spokesperson, said various Philippine Army units, including the 1st Brigade Combat Team, the 99th Infantry Battalion, Training and Doctrine Command, Support Command, and the Forward Service Support Unit will partner with the 5th SFAB team.
“The Philippine Army and US Army bilateral training aims to enhance the capabilities and interoperability of both forces in conventional, joint and combined operations as it promotes solidarity in the global fight against terror in all its forms,” Zagala said.
The US Embassy said US Army Pacific and 5th SFAB are committed to mitigating the spread of Covid-19 and are strictly adhering to Philippine government coronavirus disease (Covid-19) safety protocols in the conduct of the bilateral training events.
At full capacity, the US Embassy said the 5th SFAB operates with 820 professional advisors specially selected, trained, and equipped to advise, support, liaise, and assess with conventional partner security forces from the battalion to corps levels to build capacity in support of regional security.
When called upon, the unit can employ up to 61 advisor teams to integrate with conventional foreign partner security forces, it added.