FORT BONIFACIO, Taguig City – Philippine Army airborne troops, led by Vice Commander Maj. Gen. Leodevic Guinid, participated in the 2025 Indo-Pacific New Year Jump on January 11-12 at the 1st Airborne Brigade of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) in Chiba Prefecture, Japan.
Maj. Gen. Guinid and Special Forces Regiment (Airborne) Commander Brig. Gen. Rosendo Abad Jr. spearheaded the delegation, showcasing the Philippine Army’s military free-fall and airborne expertise.
The demonstration underscored the Army’s preparedness for special operations in support of territorial defense.
Following the aerial exhibition, a Simulated Air Assault Operation was conducted, featuring units from the U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Air Force, Singaporean Army, Australian Army, Royal Netherlands Army, French Army, Canadian Army, British Army, Polish Land Forces, Italian Army, German Army, and JGSDF’s 1st Airborne Brigade.
The simulation emphasized collaboration and interoperability among Indo-Pacific nations to address shared threats in the region.
The New Year Jump, held annually since 1974, is a tradition to ensure the safety of airborne operations throughout the year and to promote understanding, trust, and cooperation among participating nations.
The event also delivers strategic messages to bolster peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
This year’s iteration marked the first participation of the Philippine Army.
Dignitaries including the Japanese Minister of Defense and JGSDF Chief of Staff, alongside local residents and media, witnessed the milestone event and celebrated the joint display of airborne capabilities.