Stories - Tag Philippines

U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Will Thomas, a joint terminal attack controller with Marine Rotational Force-Southeast Asia, conducts a flight rehearsal for a humanitarian and disaster relief training event during KAMANDAG 8 at Camp Cape Bojeador, Burgos, Philippines, Oct. 19, 2024. - U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Will Thomas, a joint terminal attack controller with Marine Rotational Force-Southeast Asia, conducts a flight rehearsal for a humanitarian and disaster relief training event during KAMANDAG 8 at Camp Cape Bojeador, Burgos, Philippines, Oct. 19, 2024. KAMANDAG is an annual Philippine and U.S. Marine Corps-led exercise aimed at enhancing the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ defense and humanitarian capabilities by providing valuable training in combined operations with foreign militaries in the advancement of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific. This year marks the eighth iteration of this exercise and includes participants from the French Armed Forces, Royal Thai Marine Corps, and Indonesian Marine Corps; including continued participation from the Australian Defense Force, British Armed Forces, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, and Republic of Korea Marine Corps. MRF-SEA is a rotational unit derived from elements of I Marine Expeditionary Force executing a U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific operational model that involves training events and exchanges with partner military subject matter experts, promotes security goals with Allied and partner nations, and ensures a persistent I MEF presence west of the International Date Line. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Shaina Jupiter)

KAMANDAG 8 Combined HA/DR Drill Increases Allied Response Capabilities

A peaceful coastal town in Ilocos Norte, Philippines, showcases a blend of natural beauty and rural charm. Stretching along the northernmost coast of Luzon, it is bordered by the blue waters of the western Pacific Ocean. During October, Burgos became the location where the proverbial rubber met the road as three different nations trained together to accomplish one common goal.

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U.S. Marines assigned to the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit and Philippine Marines assigned to Intelligence Company, 3rd Marine Brigade, pose for a photo during a counter-unmanned aircraft system subject matter expert exchange as part of exercise KAMANDAG 8 at Tarumpitao Point, Palawan Province, Philippines, Oct. 18, 2024. - U.S. Marines assigned to the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit and Philippine Marines assigned to Intelligence Company, 3rd Marine Brigade, pose for a photo during a counter-unmanned aircraft system subject matter expert exchange as part of exercise KAMANDAG 8 at Tarumpitao Point, Palawan Province, Philippines, Oct. 18, 2024. KAMANDAG is an annual Philippine Marine Corps and U.S. Marine Corps-led exercise aimed at enhancing the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ defense and humanitarian capabilities by providing valuable training in combined operations with foreign militaries in the advancement of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific. This year marks the eighth iteration of this exercise and includes participants from the French Armed Forces, Royal Thai Marine Corps, and Indonesian Marine Corps; including continued participation from the Australian Defense Force, British Armed Forces, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, and Republic of Korea Marine Corps. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Amelia Kang)

Philippine, 15th MEU Marines Share Emerging UAS and Counter-UAS Tactics During Exercise KAMANDAG 8

U.S. Marines from Battalion Landing Team 1/5, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, shared new technologies and tactics for small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) and counter-UAS during training with the Philippine Marine Corps’ 3rd Marine Brigade at Tarumpitao Point, Palawan, Philippines, Oct. 17-21.

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From left, U.S. Marine Corps Col. Stuart Glenn, commanding officer for Marine Rotational Force-Southeast Asia, Philippine Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Arturo G Rojas, commandant of the Philippine Marine Corps, and Philippine Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Vicente Map Blanco III, director, exercise directorate headquarters, unfurl the KAMANDAG exercise flag during the opening ceremony for KAMANDAG 8 at Fort Bonifacio, Manila, Philippines, Oct. 15, 2024. - From left, U.S. Marine Corps Col. Stuart Glenn, commanding officer for Marine Rotational Force-Southeast Asia, Philippine Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Arturo G Rojas, commandant of the Philippine Marine Corps, and Philippine Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Vicente Map Blanco III, director, exercise directorate headquarters, unfurl the KAMANDAG exercise flag during the opening ceremony for KAMANDAG 8 at Fort Bonifacio, Manila, Philippines, Oct. 15, 2024. KAMANDAG is an annual Philippine Marine Corps and U.S. Marine Corps-led exercise aimed at enhancing the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ defense and humanitarian capabilities by providing valuable training in combined operations with foreign militaries in the advancement of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific. This year marks the eighth iteration of this exercise and includes participants from the French Armed Forces, Royal Thai Marine Corps, and Indonesian Marine Corps; including continued participation from the Australian Defense Force, British Armed Forces, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, and Republic of Korea Marine Corps. MRF-SEA is a rotational unit executing a Marine Corps Forces Pacific operational model that involves training events and exchanges with partner military subject matter experts, promotes security goals with Allied and partner nations, and ensures a persistent I Marine Expeditionary Force presence west of the International Date Line. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Tyler Wilson)

U.S. Marines with MRF-SEA, 15th MEU Begin Exercise KAMANDAG 8 in the Philippines

The U.S. Marine Corps, including personnel from Marine Rotational Force – Southeast Asia (MRF-SEA) and the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (15th MEU), and the Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) have begun KAMANDAG 8, a bilateral exercise scheduled from Oct. 15-25, 2024. Conducted under the annual Mutual Defense Board and Security Engagement Board (MDB-SEB) activities for 2024, the exercise aims to strengthen the interoperability of participating nations while promoting regional security and cooperation within the Indo-Pacific region.

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U.S. Marine Corps MV-22B Ospreys attached to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 165 (Reinforced), 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, land at Basco Airport during foreign disaster relief operations in Basco, Batanes Province, Philippines, Oct. 8, 2024. - U.S. Marine Corps MV-22B Ospreys attached to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 165 (Reinforced), 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, land at Basco Airport during foreign disaster relief operations in Basco, Batanes Province, Philippines, Oct. 8, 2024. The U.S. Department of Defense is supporting the Republic of the Philippines at the request of the Government of the Philippines providing foreign disaster relief in the aftermath of Typhoon Krathon (Julian) in Northern Luzon. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Joseph Helms)

U.S. Marines Complete Typhoon Krathon Humanitarian Assistance Efforts

U.S. Marines across multiple forward-deployed commands concluded six days of foreign disaster relief efforts in the Philippines Oct. 10, 2024, supporting the U.S. Agency for International Development’s humanitarian response to Typhoon Krathon (locally known as Julian) at the request of the Philippine government.

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U.S. Marines assigned to the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) unload cargo from an MV-22B Osprey attached to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 165 (Reinforced), 15th MEU, during foreign disaster relief operations at Basco Airport in Basco, Batanes Province, Philippines, Oct. 8, 2024. - U.S. Marines assigned to the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) unload cargo from an MV-22B Osprey attached to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 165 (Reinforced), 15th MEU, during foreign disaster relief operations at Basco Airport in Basco, Batanes Province, Philippines, Oct. 8, 2024. The U.S. Department of Defense is supporting the Republic of the Philippines at the request of the Government of the Philippines during foreign disaster relief operations in the aftermath of Typhoon Krathon (Julian) in Northern Luzon. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Joseph Helms)

USS Boxer, 15th MEU arrive in Philippines to deliver emergency relief supplies

Amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4), and embarked elements of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), arrived in the Philippines Oct. 8 to support the U.S. Agency for International Development's (USAID) efforts in foreign disaster response operations following Typhoon Krathon (locally known as Julian), which made landfall on the Province of Cagayan, Philippines, Sept. 30.

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A photo illustration created as a banner for Marine Rotational Force - Southeast Asia social media platforms to highlight MRF-SEA's warfighting readiness across the Indo-Pacific region, Sept. 30, 2024. - A photo illustration created as a banner for Marine Rotational Force - Southeast Asia social media platforms to highlight MRF-SEA's warfighting readiness across the Indo-Pacific region, Sept. 30, 2024. The social media banner was designed to feature MRF-SEA as a Marine Corps Forces Pacific operational model which involves planned exchanges with subject matter experts, promotes security goals with Allies and partners, and positions I MEF forces west of the International Date Line. (U.S. Marine Corps photo illustration by Sgt. Shaina Jupiter)

Marine Rotational Force – Southeast Asia Begins Third Annual Deployment

U.S. Marines and Sailors from I Marine Expeditionary Force have arrived in the Philippines as part of the third annual rotational deployment of Marine Rotational Force - Southeast Asia. MRF-SEA forces will begin their six-month stint in the region by training alongside Philippine Allies in exercises Sama Sama 2024 and KAMANDAG 8 from Oct. 7-24, 2024.

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U.S. Marine Corps Col. Stuart Glenn, left, commanding officer of the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, Philippine Navy Rear Adm. Alfonso Torres, center, commander, Armed Forces Philippines Western Command, and Philippine Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Romeo T. Racadio, director representative, Exercise Directorate Headquarters, speak during the Marine Aviation Support Activity opening ceremony at Fort Bonifacio, Manila, Philippines, June 3, 2024. - U.S. Marine Corps Col. Stuart Glenn, left, commanding officer of the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, Philippine Navy Rear Adm. Alfonso Torres, center, commander, Armed Forces Philippines Western Command, and Philippine Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Romeo T. Racadio, director representative, Exercise Directorate Headquarters, speak during the Marine Aviation Support Activity opening ceremony at Fort Bonifacio, Manila, Philippines, June 3, 2024. MASA 24 is an annual Philippine-U.S. military exercise focused on mutual defense, strengthening relationships, and rehearsing emerging aviation concepts. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Shaina Jupiter)

Marine Aviation Support Activity (MASA) 24 begins at Fort Bonifacio

Marine Aviation Support Activity (MASA) 24, an annual Philippine-U.S. military exercise focused on mutual defense, strengthening relationships, and rehearsing emerging aviation concepts, is scheduled to take place in the Philippines from June 3-21, 2024.

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Strengthening Alliances: U.S. Marines return to the Philippines for MASA 23

In a testament to the enduring commitment to strengthening regional partnerships and fostering military cooperation, U.S. Marines (USMC) and Sailors from across I and III Marine Expeditionary Forces (MEF) are arriving in the Philippines to participate in Marine Aviation Support Activity (MASA) 23, scheduled to take place throughout the Philippines from July 6-21. Unique to this exercise, U.S. Command and Control will be executed by I MEF (Forward), commanded by Brig. Gen. Robert Brodie.

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