FORT MAGSAYSAY, Philippines -- U.S. Marines with Headquarters Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, and members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines trained together in marksmanship techniques at Ranges 1 and 2 on Fort Magsaysay, in the Republic of the Philippines, April 7 during Exercise Balikatan 2011.
Marksmanship training is one of several bilateral training events occurring during Balikatan, especially at Fort Magsaysay.
“We’re out here with the Philippine National Army, and we’re sharing instruction on how to properly engage targets and battle sight zero their weapons,” said Lance Cpl. Justen Williams, an armorer with HQ Bn., 3rd MarDiv.
U.S. Marines and AFP Marines and soldiers found middle ground while discussing marksmanship and sharing techniques, said Capt. Mark D. Simmons, the officer-in-charge of Ranges 1 and 2.
Using their M16A1 service rifles, AFP forces studied in the classroom and then headed to the range to test their skills.
“They have shown themselves to be excellent marksmen. I couldn’t ask more out of them,” Williams said.
During the training, AFP service members paired with U.S. Marines for advice on fine tuning their individual techniques during each respective course of fire.
“The soldiers are happy to train with the U.S. Marines. It is very helpful for us,” said 2nd Lt. Erwin Simanca, a platoon leader for Company A, 3rd Infantry Battalion, 7th Infantry Division, Philippine National Army.
Simanca was one of more than 20 AFP soldiers and Marines training alongside the U.S. Marines.
“They are very interested to learn and eager to observe. They are doing well,” said Simanca of his AFP soldiers’ mentality toward the training. “This training is very essential to future missions and training we do together.”
Lessons are learned by both the U.S. forces as well as the Philippine forces, he added. It aids in the ability of both nations to be on the same range.
Balikatan 2011 ended April 15 with a closing ceremony.