PH-US War Games Set In Luzon
Ph-US War Games – War games between Filipino soldiers and US service members based in Okinawa, Japan, as part of the Philippines Amphibious Landing Exercise, will happen next week.
According to a report by PhilStar, this is in preparation for bilateral operations during a natural disaster or armed combat.
Brig. Gen. John Jansen, 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade commanding general, said that the humanitarian civic assistance efforts will compose of “an amphibious landing exercise and live-fire training featuring artillery are just a few of the many team-building opportunities during PHIBLEX 33.”
The report added that the exercise is designed to advance cooperation, improve interoperability and help in strengthening amphibious capabilities.
According to Jansen, the said activity is an opportunity to train and build “mutually beneficial capabilities with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) which are important for improving amphibious and humanitarian assistance capabilities, which were the expertise of the US Marine Corps.
“Exchanging expertise and cultivating our long-standing security alliance provides a cornerstone for security and stability in the region, and has for decades,” Jansen said.
Beginning this month and until October 12, the humanitarian and civic assistance portion of the exercise will also include engineering projects to “improve local infrastructure and health engagements to trade medical best practices and to add to the medical needs of Filipinos.”
The report also added that there will be small arms and artillery 1ive-firing during the exercise, which is said to provide the Philippine and US Marines lot of opportunities to maintain and hone their skills while improving an already high level of interoperability.
It added that the Amphibious Squadron 11, the three ships of Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Ready Group (BHR ARG), and the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit.
The Philippine units involve the 3rd Marine Brigade and the new Strategic Sealift Vessel, BRP Tarlac, of the Philippine Navy.
