The Eurasian Times:

Earlier this month, the largest combat exercises by the United States and the Philippines in decades were launched in the waters across the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait. More than 17,600 military men are participating in the annual exercises by the long-term treaty allies.

In an air assault planning drill held as part of these exercises, the Philippine Army (PA) and United States Army Pacific (USARPAC) demonstrated their capabilities using the Black Hawk helicopter, Manila Bulletin reported.

On April 21, 81 personnel of the PA’s 99th Infantry Battalion, 7th Infantry Division, and their USARPAC counterparts conducted a “hot and cold load training” at the Aviation Regiment Airstrip, Fort Magsaysay.

The military prioritizes cold and hot training to improve the soldiers’ proficiency with entering and leaving an aircraft during a live run.

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