SIX Navy ships that went through systems repair in a naval facility in Cavite test fired their guns over the weekend in Bataan to evaluate their readiness for deployment.
The
test firing activity, which involved the shooting of an improvised
floating target, was conducted 15 nautical miles off Luzon Point in
Mariveles, Bataan.
It
was conducted by the BRP Iloilo (PS32); BRP Tagbanua (AT296); BRP
General Mariano Alvarez (PS38); RP Liberato Picar (PG377); BRP Hilario
Ruiz (PG378) and BRP Filipino Flojo (PG386).
They used anti-aircraft guns, 25mm naval guns and several types of machine guns.
Cmdr.
Hilarion Cesista, training and evaluations officer of the Fleet
Operations Readiness Training Evaluations Group (Forteg) of the
Philippine Fleet, said the live firing activity was held to evaluate the
range, precision and operational reliance of the vessels.
He said the test firing will determine whether the vessels are ready for full deployment.
During the test, all of the six vessels yielded 98-percent readiness.
Cesista said necessary measures will be taken to attain 100-percent readiness before the vessels will be deployed.
“Beyond
test firing their weapons, the evaluation team ensured that all their
logistical and operational supplies and equipment are available onboard
and functional,” he said.
Rear
Adm. Jose Luis Alano, Philippine Fleet commander, said it is their
policy to certify that all the vessels undergoing repairs should be
subjected to strict readiness evaluation procedures to ensure that they
are reliable and equipped before they are deployed to perform their
missions.
He said
the strict evaluation procedures are meant to ensure the capability and
operational readiness of vessels in order to respond to the demands of
their multifaceted roles.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rene Acosta / Reporter | BusinessMirror.Com.Ph | April 2, 2012 | Article Link
