Fort Magsaysay
Encyclopedia
Fort Ramon Magsaysay, also known as Fort Magsaysay or Fort Magsaysay Military Reservation (FMMR), or Fort Mag, is the largest Military Reservation in the Philippines, and is one of the key training areas of the Philippine Army
. Fort Magsaysay is located in Palayan City, Nueva Ecija
.
On Dec 10, 1955, President Ramon Magsaysay
, through Proclamation 237 created the 73,000-hectare base centered in Laur, Palayan. The reservation covers portions of the provinces of Nueva Ecija, Bulacan
, and Aurora. The reservation is to be used for military training and live fire exercises.
In its infancy Fort Magsaysay hosted the Army Training Command (ATC). The ATC provided basic training for enlisted personnel and officers and advanced training in some specialties such as infantry and artillery.
As one of the main training grounds of the Philippine Army, Fort Magsaysay hosted the Training & Doctrine Command (TRADOC) a couple of times in its history. Currently, TRADOC is located in Camp O'Donnell, but majority of the field exercises are conducted in Fort Magsaysay.
During Martial Law
, Ninoy Aquino
and other members of the opposition were incarcerated in Fort Magsaysay.
In 1991, Mt. Pinatubo's eruption has burdened the Philippine government to relocate some of the residents of the volcano. Fort Magsaysay was chosen as one of the relocation sites. Almost two decades later, the Philippine Army remains at conflict with tenant farmers, as the latter have been ordered evicted from the military reservation.
Fort Magsaysay's vast tracts of land has time and again attracted a number of claimants - without escaping controversy. In some occasions, illegal loggers have found their way into the reservation.
At present, Fort Magsaysay along with the Crow Valley Range Complex
in Pampanga
provides the Armed Forces of the Philippines
and allied nations ample training grounds in modern jungle warfare in large unit formation. The RP-US 2009 BALIKATAN exercises for one was commenced at Fort Magsaysay.
The original 73,000 military reservation has been reduced to 35,000 hectares after seven presidential proclamations. Despite this reduction, the sprawling base reaches all the way to the Pacific Ocean, over the Siera Madre Mountains, with 12 kilometers of coastline.
The Department of Defense
's plans to expand and modernize the Philippine Army, Fort Magsaysay has been designated as the AFP's National Training Center (NTC). The NTC's mission is to upgrade and train at battalion level. In a period of 6 years, more than 72 Army Battalions and 12 Marine Battalions have gone through the NTC's program at Fort Magsaysay.
Fort Magsaysay is also the only Philippine Army base that boast its own runway, apron, aircraft maintenance, and air control facilities. The Philippine Army operates Cessna CE172 Skyhawk
and CE421
from Fort Magsaysay.
Fort Magsaysay also has its own Rest & Recreation facility called Pahingahan Complex. ("Pahingahan" is the Filipino word for "a place of rest.") The R&R facility is located on the shores of a man-made lake in the base. Soldiers and tourists can also enjoy kayaking and hiking in the nearby trails.
Current facilities on base are:
Current units garrisoned in Fort Magsaysay:
Philippine Army
The Philippine Army is the ground arm of the Armed Forces of the Philippines . Its official name in Tagalog is Hukbong Katihan ng Pilipinas. On July 23, 2010, President Benigno Aquino III appointed Maj. Gen...
. Fort Magsaysay is located in Palayan City, Nueva Ecija
Nueva Ecija
Nueva Ecija is a landlocked province of the Philippines located in the Central Luzon region. Its capital is Palayan City...
.
History
Ramon Magsaysay
Ramón del Fierro Magsaysay was the third President of the Republic of the Philippines from December 30, 1953 until his death in a plane crash in 1957. He was elected President under the banner of the Nacionalista Party.-Early life:Ramon F...
, through Proclamation 237 created the 73,000-hectare base centered in Laur, Palayan. The reservation covers portions of the provinces of Nueva Ecija, Bulacan
Bulacan
Bulacan , officially called the Province of Bulacan or simply Bulacan Province, is a first class province of the Republic of the Philippines located in the Central Luzon Region in the island of Luzon, north of Manila , and part of the Metro...
, and Aurora. The reservation is to be used for military training and live fire exercises.
In its infancy Fort Magsaysay hosted the Army Training Command (ATC). The ATC provided basic training for enlisted personnel and officers and advanced training in some specialties such as infantry and artillery.
As one of the main training grounds of the Philippine Army, Fort Magsaysay hosted the Training & Doctrine Command (TRADOC) a couple of times in its history. Currently, TRADOC is located in Camp O'Donnell, but majority of the field exercises are conducted in Fort Magsaysay.
During Martial Law
Martial Law in the Philippines
Martial law in the Philippines refers to the period of Philippine history where Philippine Presidents declare a proclamation to control unpacified places under the rule of Military, it is usually given when threatened by popular protests, or to crack down on the opposition...
, Ninoy Aquino
Benigno Aquino, Jr.
Benigno Simeon "Ninoy" Aquino, Jr. was a Filipino Senator and a former Governor of Tarlac. Aquino, together with Gerry Roxas and Jovito Salonga, formed the leadership of the opposition to the Marcos regime in the years leading to the imposition of martial law in the Philippines...
and other members of the opposition were incarcerated in Fort Magsaysay.
In 1991, Mt. Pinatubo's eruption has burdened the Philippine government to relocate some of the residents of the volcano. Fort Magsaysay was chosen as one of the relocation sites. Almost two decades later, the Philippine Army remains at conflict with tenant farmers, as the latter have been ordered evicted from the military reservation.
Fort Magsaysay's vast tracts of land has time and again attracted a number of claimants - without escaping controversy. In some occasions, illegal loggers have found their way into the reservation.
At present, Fort Magsaysay along with the Crow Valley Range Complex
Crow Valley Range Complex
The Crow Valley Bombing and Gunnery Range or Crow Valley Gunnery Range, and presently Tarlac Military Testing Ground, was the main bombing range of the United States Armed Forces in the western Pacific, and currently by the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Crow Valley is located in Camp O'Donnell...
in Pampanga
Pampanga
Pampanga is a province of the Philippines located in the Central Luzon region. Its capital is the City of San Fernando, Pampanga. Pampanga is bordered by the provinces of Bataan and Zambales to the west, Tarlac and Nueva Ecija to the north, and Bulacan to the southeast...
provides the Armed Forces of the Philippines
Armed Forces of the Philippines
The Armed Forces of the Philippines is composed of the Philippine Army, Philippine Navy and Philippine Air Force...
and allied nations ample training grounds in modern jungle warfare in large unit formation. The RP-US 2009 BALIKATAN exercises for one was commenced at Fort Magsaysay.
Description
Fort Magsaysay can be reached through the Bangad-Fort Magsaysay Road or through the Sta. Rosa-Fort Magsasay Road.The original 73,000 military reservation has been reduced to 35,000 hectares after seven presidential proclamations. Despite this reduction, the sprawling base reaches all the way to the Pacific Ocean, over the Siera Madre Mountains, with 12 kilometers of coastline.
The Department of Defense
Department of National Defense (Philippines)
The Department of National Defense is the executive department of the Philippine government responsible for guarding against external and internal threats to peace and security in the country...
's plans to expand and modernize the Philippine Army, Fort Magsaysay has been designated as the AFP's National Training Center (NTC). The NTC's mission is to upgrade and train at battalion level. In a period of 6 years, more than 72 Army Battalions and 12 Marine Battalions have gone through the NTC's program at Fort Magsaysay.
Fort Magsaysay is also the only Philippine Army base that boast its own runway, apron, aircraft maintenance, and air control facilities. The Philippine Army operates Cessna CE172 Skyhawk
Cessna 172
The Cessna 172 Skyhawk is a four-seat, single-engine, high-wing fixed-wing aircraft. First flown in 1955 and still in production, more Cessna 172s have been built than any other aircraft.-Design and development:...
and CE421
Cessna 421
-See also:-References:NotesBibliography* Taylor, John W.R. . Jane's All The World's Aircraft 1976-77. London:Jane's Yearbooks, 1976. ISBN 0-354-00538-3....
from Fort Magsaysay.
Fort Magsaysay also has its own Rest & Recreation facility called Pahingahan Complex. ("Pahingahan" is the Filipino word for "a place of rest.") The R&R facility is located on the shores of a man-made lake in the base. Soldiers and tourists can also enjoy kayaking and hiking in the nearby trails.
Current facilities on base are:
- 650m firing range
- 500m firing range
- 150m firing range
- 100m firing range
- Fort Magsaysay Army Station Hospital (FMASH)
- 5249 ft. runway & apron
- Officer's Club
- R&R Facilities (Pahingahan Complex)
- Stockade
- Army Store
- AFP Transient Facilities
Current units garrisoned in Fort Magsaysay:
- 7th Infantry (Kaugnay) Division7th Infantry (Kaugnay) DivisionThe 7th Infantry Division, Philippine Army, known officially as the Kaugnay Division, is the Philippine Army's primary Infantry unit specializing in rapid deployment....
- Special Operations Command (Philippines)Special Operations Command (Philippines)The Special Operations Command in the Philippine Army is the single command responsible for maintaining the various special forces units operating under the Army's wing.-Re-organization during the 1990s:...
- Light Reaction Battalion (Philippines)
- 1st Special Forces Regiment (Airborne)
- Army Aviation Battalion, Light Armored Division