Filipino and Australian troops participating in Exercise ALON (Amphibious and Land Operation) 2025 conducted a Combined Arms Live Fire Exercise (CALFX) at Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija, on August 27.
The activity, held at Fire Base, Barangay Canantong in Laur, Nueva Ecija, showcased the integration of land and air combat capabilities, highlighting rapid deployment, tactical mobility, and precision engagement.
Participating units included the Army Artillery Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, and air assets from the Philippine Air Force and Philippine Navy, while the Australian Defence Force (ADF) deployed combat elements from its battlegroup.
AFP ground troops conducted the live fire drills using ATMOS 155mm self-propelled howitzers and 105mm howitzers, while their Australian counterparts fielded advanced systems including 155mm M777 howitzers, 81mm mortars, heavy machine guns, sniper systems, EF88 Steyr rifles, Minimi light machine guns, MK47 grenade launchers, and FGM-148 Javelin anti-tank systems.
The exercise also featured close air support (CAS) for synchronized air-ground coordination in a dynamic battlefield scenario. PAF’s A-29 Super Tucano, AW109 helicopters (Air Force and Navy), and T-129 ATAK helicopters were deployed, while the Royal Australian Air Force sent F/A-18F Super Hornets.
Present to witness the event were senior military officials, including Philippine Army Commanding General Lt. Gen. Antonio Nafarrete, PAF Commanding General Lt. Gen. Arthur M. Cordura, and 8th/9th Battalion Commanding Officer of the Royal Australian Regiment, Commander Battlegroup Ram, Lt. Col. Andrew Raven.
The AFP said CALFX enhanced AFP–ADF interoperability in tactical insertion, indirect fire support, mobility, and command-and-control, strengthening both forces’ ability to conduct joint operations and respond to contingencies.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Navy and Royal Australian Navy, together with Royal Canadian Navy personnel, also conducted a multilateral maritime exercise in the waters east of Bajo de Masinloc (Panatag Shoal) to cap Exercise ALON 2025.
Participating vessels BRP Jose Rizal (FF150), HMAS Brisbane (DDG41), and HMCS Ville de Québec (FFH332) sailed off from El Nido, Palawan, and proceeded northward as part of the broader Exercise ALON 2025.
The drills featured two major serials: an Air Defense Exercise (ADEX) that honed the participants’ capability to counter simulated aerial threats through coordinated defensive measures, and a Photo Exercise (PHOTOEX) that showcased precision formation sailing and multinational naval professionalism.
