Philippine Army soldiers assigned to the First Scout Regiment and U.S. Army soldiers assigned to the 1st Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT), 25th Infantry Division conducted a jungle tracking course on April 9, 2025, in support of Salaknib 2025. This training aimed at improving jungle warfare capabilities and strengthening bilateral interoperability.
Philippine Army soldiers assigned to the First Scout Regiment and U.S. Army soldiers assigned to the 1st Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT), 25th Infantry Division conducted a jungle tracking course on April 9, 2025, in support of Salaknib 2025. This training aimed at improving jungle warfare capabilities and strengthening bilateral interoperability.
The course, held in the dense jungle of the Philippines, was led by expert instructors from the Philippine First Scout Regiment. Philippine Army soldiers shared time-tested tracking techniques honed through years of operating in tropical environments. U.S. Soldiers learned how to identify and interpret signs of movement, detect camouflage, and avoid ambush—skills critical in jungle warfare scenarios.
“It definitely benefited our two armies having us in this student role with them being our teachers,” said Sergeant 1st Class Vincent Barton, 2nd Platoon Sergeant Charlie Company “Tigers”, 1st Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment. “The jungle is an unforgiving environment, and learning from those with real-world experience is invaluable.”
For some of the U.S. Soldiers, this was their first time conducting operations in such terrain. Philippine instructors emphasized practical, scenario-based training, reinforcing lessons through immersion in thick vegetation, steep slopes, and high humidity.
“This training has really shown how well we communicate with each other,” said Specialist Jacob Ham, S3 Operations Assistant, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment. “It not only improves our individual soldier skills, but also builds our ability to operate seamlessly with our Philippine counterparts.”
The training supports the broader objectives of the ongoing Salaknib 2025 exercise series, a bilateral effort to increase combat readiness and strengthen the U.S.-Philippine alliance.
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