AFP, US Forces sink mock vessel in Balikatan exercise

The Balikatan combined joint littoral live fire exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the United States Armed Forces in Zambales was declared a success after a mock vessel was sunk.

The decommissioned World War II corvette BRP Pangasinan (PS-31) was sunk during the exercise held some 12 nautical miles from San Antonio, Zambales.

The CJLLF exercise started around 6:30 a.m. with the Philippine Navy missile frigate BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150) firing its 76mm autocannon at the target.

Following this, the US High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) fired at the corvette but missed.

Attack helicopters, including the Bell AH "Cobras", scored many hits against the target.

A US F-35B "Lightning II" Joint Strike Fighter aircraft delivered the final blow, sinking the ship with a laser-guided bomb around 2:55 p.m.