By Priam Nepomuceno
MANILA – Rescue aircraft and personnel of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) have taken part in the “mass casualty medical evacuation” (MEDEVAC) simulation of this year’s “Balikatan.”
The drills took place from May 3 to 4 in Ilocos Norte and involved the 505th Search and Rescue Group and S-7 Aeromedical Team, the PAF said in a Facebook post Monday night.
It added that the MEDEVAC drills were part of the “Casualty Care and Evacuation Through Military and Civilian Partnership Activity” of the Balikatan.
This year’s Balikatan drills, set from April 20 to May 8, involved 17,000 personnel from the militaries of the Philippines, United States, Australia, Japan, Canada, France and New Zealand.
“The activity highlights the PAF’s role in strengthening aeromedical response capabilities during emergency situations,” the PAF said.
During the simulation, a W-3A “Sokol” helicopter was used to transport a simulated casualty to a designated triage area, demonstrating timely and efficient aeromedical evacuation procedures.
“The conduct of the exercise underscores the importance of integrated casualty response mechanisms in addressing complex emergency scenarios. It also supports the PAF’s thrust of building a mission-ready, capability-driven, and values-based organization, while contributing to improved preparedness and response in support of national and regional security efforts,” the Air Force said.
Tomahawk missile
As this developed, Philippine “Balikatan” spokesperson Marine Col. Dennis Hernadez confirmed reports that a Tomahawk Land Attack Missile (TLAM) was fired from a Typhon Medium Range (MRC) missile system in Tacloban early Tuesday morning.
In an interview with reporters, Hernandez said the lone TLAM round was fired around 12:12 a.m. and reached its impact point around 1 a.m. in Laur, Nueva Ecija, which is also being used by Philippine artillery units for practice.
“It’s a precision guided munition, tumama siya sa impact area sa Laur (it hit the impact zone in Laur),” he said, adding that this is the first time Tomahawk was fired in the drills.
He also said the firing of the MRC was in support of a “notional activity” caling for the weapons platform to support a “ground attack” mission in the area.
Hernandez said the Tomahawk was fired from Tacloban as it is a long-range missile capable of hitting targets from long distances.
Online sources indicated that the TLAM has a range of 1,350 to 2,500 kilometers. (PNA)
