Compiled by Asia-Pacific Defense FORUM Staff

"We will deploy very soon after this exercise is over, so any training we can get will help us out." SSgt. Macario Maquira, Philippine Marine Corps

Philippine Army Sgt. Alfonso, a jungle survival specialist, shows the U.S. Marines how to cook rice inside a bamboo stem at Ft. Magsaysay, Philippines. Photo by Lance Cpl. Brandon Gwathney, USMC

Several hundred Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) personnel and about 800 U.S. Marines and sailors participated in Exercise TALON VISION 2002 at the former Clark Air Base and at Fort Magsaysay’s Fernandez Hill live-fire range on the Philippine Island of Luzon in October 2002. TALON VISION focused on improving military relationships between the Philippines and the U.S. while increasing readiness for both countries. Though the exercise emphasized quality ground and air integrated training at the small-unit level, humanitarian assistance was an important part of the exercise.

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Compiled by the Asia-Pacific Defense FORUM staff from press releases by Capt. Christopher M. Perrine USMC; LCpl. Josh H. Hauser, USMC; LCpl. John F. Silwanus, USMC; LCpl. Shane A. Austin

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