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FORT MAGSAYSAY, Nueva Ecija — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Australian Defense Force (AFP) held live fire drills during the Exercise Amphibious and Land Operations (ALON) 2025 here on Wednesday.

The first activity was a land counter attack scenario in the rugged terrains of Canantong, Laur, Nueva Ecija where the two countries used howitzers, artillery weapons with relatively short barrels capable of firing shells with high-trajectory as in a mortar and low-angle fire just like a field gun.

The AFP deployed its ATMOS 155-mm Self-propelled Howitzer while ADF brought in their 155 M777 Howitzer. Both can reach targets of up to 30 kilometers.

As soon as ammunition was loaded, the howitzers released deafening blasts pulverizing targets planted 11 kilometers from the fire base. The ADF’s M777 fired 120 rounds whereas AFP’s ATMOS fired 20 rounds.

Before this, the Philippine Air Force’s (PAF) A 28 Super Tucano, AW 109 and T-129 ATAK Helicopters, as a standard procedure, first flew to provide aerial support upon identification of targets on the ground.

The helicopters were armed with rockets and.50 caliber machine guns to provide close air support.

PH, Australia hold live fire drills during ALON 2025 in Nueva Ecija

“We have an array of platforms. We contributed 14 different 7 types of aircraft, totalling 14. We also have personnel on the ground, [about] 160 personnel who participated in the different aspects, phases of the Exercise ALON,” said Lt. Gen. Arthur Condura, commanding General, PAF.

Condura added that the participating airlift assets were equipped with combat capabilities and were supposed to perform drills but the pilot decided to abort live fire because of inclement weather.

“We gave them limitations but actually the pilots are trained, the aircraft are designed to address targets and whenever the opportunities present itself, the Philippine Air Force pilots and our platforms will deliver,” Condura said.

Condura said these combat helicopters could fly anywhere from two to nine hours, sometimes reaching 15, depending on the auxiliary tanks used to sustain its air life.