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Foreword

Northeast Asia Engagement ::

People's Republic of China and U.S. Forces Enhancing Maritime Safety Throughout the Asia-Pacific Region

Proliferation Security Initiative Activities Attract International Interest

Cooperative Understanding ::

Cambodia-U.S. Navies Conduct Historic Exchange

Regional Response Forces ::

Indian, Canadian and U.S. Forces Partner for a Safer Asia-Pacific Region

RIMPAC 2006:
Fostering Regional Peace and Security

Philippine-U.S. Forces Building Interoperability and Goodwill

Happenings ::

Happenings

Philippine-U.S.Forces Building Interoperability
and Goodwill
Compiled by Asia-Pacific Defense FORUM Staff

Compiled by Asia-Pacific Defense FORUM staff from press releases by LCpl. David Rogers, USMC, assigned to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit; PO3 Adam R. Cole, USN, assigned to Task Force 76 Public Affairs; PO3 Francisco Ramos, USN, and PO3 Christopher Weyers, USN, assigned to USS Juneau Public Affairs; PO3 Marvin E. Thompson, USN, PO1 Michael Kennedy, USN, and SN Andrew D. Brantley, USN, assigned to USS Essex Public Affairs; and SN Charles Green, USN, assigned to USS Harpers Ferry Public Affairs.

"What I do appreciate ... is the conduct of a series of civic action and community relations activities that promoted goodwill between the U.S. armed forces and the Filipino community. This also goes to show that our forces could respond not only to defense callings as exhibited by the conduct of this exercise, but are also capable of providing humanitarian assistance to the less fortunate inhabitants in these communities."

Philippine Air Force Brig. Gen. Gilbert Llanto
Wing Commander, 600th Air Base

Both TALON VISION 2007, a land- and sea-based exercise, and the concurrent Amphibious Landing Exercise (PHILBEX) facilitated interoperability and increased readiness between Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and U.S. forces. Bilateral medical and dental clinics and civic action projects were a major part of these exercises. Both forces working together with non-governmental organizations provided much-needed humanitarian assistance to rural areas of the Philippines, winning the hearts and minds of the people there.

About 1,300 AFP personnel and 5,700 U.S. Marines and sailors from the USS Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) participated in Exercises TALON VISION 2007 and PHILBEX 2007 on the Philippine islands of Luzon and Palawan. Exercise events focused on sea-and land-based capabilities. The amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) provided a sea-based platform for simulated U.S. Marine raids and deck landing qualifications. Forces of both nations conducted simulated maritime interdiction operations and visit, board, search and seizure training. The USS Essex ARG included guided missile destroyer USS Stethem (DDG 63), amphibious transport dock ship USS Juneau (LPD 10), and dock landing ship USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49).

Throughout the October 2006 exercises, AFP and U.S. forces participated in medical, dental and engineering civic-action projects in Luzon and Palawan. “TALON VISION ... not only symbolizes the United States’ commitment to security assistance in the Republic of Philippines, but also our commitment to the Filipino people,” said U.S. Navy Capt. Anthony J. Pachuta, commodore, Amphibious Squadron 11 and task group commander of the USS Essex ARG.

Capt. Pachuta further noted, “We know that this exercise will pay dividends in creating the operational expertise and operational bonds, so that we can work closely with AFP in case disaster strikes – as it did in Southern Leyte earlier this year – and to create more stability within the region. Each time we meet with the Philippine military for training, we develop our relationship with them and the country even further. I foresee these exercises fostering even a greater bond and even stronger partnership for the future.”

Before the opening ceremony, the U.S. Marines demonstrated a long-range helicopter-borne simulated raid from the USS Essex. They also conducted a mechanized raid with amphibious assault vehicles from Harpers Ferry.

Opening Ceremony
Commenting on the importance of bilateral exercises, Marine Maj. Gen. Nelson Allaga, Commandant of the Philippine Marine Corps, said, “Born out of our historical ties and the common commitment to democracy and freedom, these annual Republic of the Philippines and U.S. bilateral military exercises have become more significant in the light of the emerging global and regional security concerns.” He also spoke on the similar values between U.S. and Philippine Marines. “Marines, we share common ideas and aspirations – ideas of excellence, professionalism, pride in the unit, and a deep sense of commitment to service.”

Philippine Air Force Col. Julius Guillermo told participants, “Once more, as in the past, you are steered here again to mark the start of a new milestone that will bind us together in cooperative spirit for the next two weeks and further strengthen our two nations’ historical bonds.”

Also commenting on the strong Philippine-U.S. relationship, U.S. Deputy Chief of Mission Paul Jones said, “The U.S. and the Philippines are really proud partners together in insuring security for our peoples. We have a long, strong tradition of cooperation and mutual support to the people of our countries.”

Parachute Operations and Air Delivery
AFP personnel and U.S. Marines honed their skills in parachute operations and airdrop delivery at Fort Ramon Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija province. “Our mission was to practice re-supplying ground units via air delivery,” said U.S. Marine 1st Lt. Dan Hinkson.

Air delivery specialists dropped pallets loaded with water and tires from the back of a KC-130 Hercules aircraft to simulate actual airdrop pallets. The U.S. Marines then jumped out of the Hercules and followed the pallets by parachuting down behind them.

Philippine airmen and Army Special Operations Command (SOCOM) soldiers jumped the next day. “We got the opportunity to jump from the KC-130s with our friends in the U.S. Marine Corps,” said Philippine Air Force Capt. Thomas Pacia. “It was also a good experience for the troops; for many of them, this was their first jump. The training really helped us prepare for our mission in conducting special operations in support of the Philippine Air Force.”

The jumps helped improve the readiness of both forces as well as their relationships. “It’s exciting being able to work with the Marine Corps,” said Philippine SOCOM Capt. Joseph Saludo. “It gives both countries’ militaries a chance to exchange ideas.”

Deck-Landing Qualifications
AFP pilots from Philippine Naval Base Cavite honed their flying skills with deck- landing qualifications (DLQs) aboard the USS Essex. They also worked with U.S. Marines to improve their skills at high-angle sniping. This involves shooting at a target from a hovering helicopter with a scoped sniper rifle. It is used to secure a ship during boarding operations when there is a degree of risk or hostile activity.

“[The Essex is] a larger platform than we normally work with,” said AFP pilot Lt. j.g. Jun Taborlupa. “The extra area on Essex’s flight deck brings up the comfort level while doing the DLQs. These exercises give us an opportunity to learn and become familiar with U.S. Navy flight operations procedures, so we can better anticipate the minor differences between [U.S.] procedures and ours during a real mission.”

Live-Fire Training At Crow Valley
AFP personnel and U.S. Marines shared training methods as they fired rounds downrange during live-fire training at Crow Valley in Capas, Tarlac province. The live-fire training incorporated small arms, mortars, tactical vehicles and light armored vehicles. Fixed and rotary wing aircraft provided close air support.

“Our forces are being given the opportunity to see the way U.S. Marines conduct operations,” said Philippine Marine SSgt. Wildon Castillo. “They are showing examples of their tactics and maneuvers, and we are able to learn from them.”

U.S. Marines also had the opportunity to see the way the Philippine Marines operate their equipment and implement their standard operating procedures. “They’re pretty fast at putting their gun up and getting ready to drop a round,” said U.S. Marine Cpl. Rogelio Orteg.

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