Phl, US troops exchange notes on air defense

The US Avenger Air Defense System (AADS) took centerstage on the second day of this year's Balikatan exercises, where Filipino and US troops trained in Zambales to familiarize themselves with the advanced premier shoot-on-the-move air defense platform and its primary armament, the FIM-92 Stinger missile.

- By MICHAEL PUNONGBAYAN

Lt. Col. John Paul Salgado, the army chief of Balikatan 2025's combined joint information bureau, said Philippine and US army personnel assembled at the Naval Education, Training and Doctrine Command in Zambales for a joint formation and activity briefing.

The military described the Avenger as a highly mobile, short-range air defense system that integrates eight ready-to-fire Stinger missiles mounted on a Humvee, providing rapid target engagement against low-flying aircraft, helicopters and unmanned aerial systems or drones.

The Stinger missile is known for its infrared homing guidance and fire-and-forget capability.

Lt. Gen. Fernyl Buca, chief of the Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM) of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), said the ongoing Balikatan features a simulated full-scale battle scenario aimed at testing and enhancing the combined operational capabilities of troops under realistic conditions.