Sulu task force training to enhance interoperability

SULU: Troops belonging to the Joint Task Force (JTF)-Sulu are undergoing a week-long Joint Training Exercise (JTX) to enhance interoperability and strengthen camaraderie.

Dubbed “JTX Lupasug 01-2021”, the training involves the Army, the Navy, and Air Force troops under the JTF-Sulu. It kicked off Saturday and ends Friday.

Maj. Gen. William Gonzales, JTF-Sulu commander, said Monday that the JTX was conceptualised even before the command’s interdiction operation called Perfect Storm 2 that led to the neutralisation of key Abu Sayyaf Group members on November 3, 2020.

During the operation, seven Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) bandits were killed when Army’s Special Forces troops aboard a helicopter gunship and a multi-purpose attack craft (MPAC) intercepted a twin-engine speed boat of the ASG off Sulare Island, Parang, Sulu.

The slain ASG bandits were set to stage kidnapping anew when the clash ensued as the troops intercepted them at sea.

“I am very proud of the JTF-Sulu’s notable achievements. Our brave men and women who steered the Perfect Storm operation were able to bring down the terrorists and prevented them from conducting kidnapping activities and other atrocities in northern Mindanao. These accomplishments demonstrate how our collaboration is significantly weakening the terrorists. It also reminds us that we should always gear up and remain focused on our mission, which is to ultimately obliterate the Abu Sayyaf Group and other terrorist groups that continue to threaten our security as a nation,” Gonzales said.

“Through this Joint Training Exercise, let us concentrate on how we can further synchronise our capabilities. While we recognize our cultural and organisational diversities, we should work as one strong JTF-Sulu. Through this exercise, I expect that we will be able to close the land-air-sea gaps, develop solid camaraderie, and together, defeat the scourge of terrorism and usher in lasting peace and development into Sulu,” Gonzales added.