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TALON VISION exercises held in the Philippines improve and maintain interoperability, combat readiness, and professional relationships between Philippine and U.S. Marines. Here, Philippine and U.S. Marines rush to board a CH-53D helicopter during TALON VISION 2004.
Photo by Cpl. Daniel W. Yarnall, USMC |
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(R to L) Philippine Air Force Maj. Allan Ballesteros, Philippine Army Col. Flavinao M. Valdehueza, Jr., and U.S. Marines Col.Steven W. Busby and Capt. Burrell D. Parmar answer questions during a press conference on Exercise TALON VISION 2004.
Photo by Cpl. Daniel W. Yarnall, USMC |
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A Philippine Marine is briefed by a U.S. Marine on a shoulder-fired anti-armor weapon during live-fire training in Crow Valley.
Photo by Cpl. M. Stew Allen, USMC |
Several hundred Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) personnel and about 900 U.S. Marines and sailors participated in Exercise TALON VISION 2004 on the Philippine Island of Luzon. The two forces trained in jungle survival methods and techniques, reconnaissance, light armor operations, aerial refueling, insertion, and amphibious landing raids for two weeks in November 2003. Though the exercise emphasized quality ground and air integrated training, humanitarian assistance, including medical, dental, and engineering projects, was an important part of the exercise.
Exercise TALON VISION is an annual Republic of the Philippines-U.S. bilateral training exercise designed to improve and maintain the interoperability, combat readiness, and professional relationships between the AFP and U.S. Marines.
Air Refueling and Insertion
During Exercise TALON VISION 2004, two U.S. Marine KC-130s flew at low levels off the Philippine coast, allowing the aircraft to avoid simulated enemy radar. After an hour of low-altitude evasive maneuvers through central Luzon’s hills and valleys, they met with, and refueled, three U.S. Marine CH-53E Super Stallion helicopters. “Most of our [KC-130] missions are to resupply or transport units,” said U.S. Marine Capt. Matthew R. McGrath. “To get to our destination tactically, we have to be able to evade the enemy.” He noted that the refueling enables the helicopters to remain in the air longer, extending the distance they can transport Marines for deep combat insertions.
Compiled by Asia-Pacific Defense FORUM staff from press releases by David Allen, Stars and Stripes Pacific edition, 9 November, 2003; and Cpl. M. Stew Allen, USMC, and Cpl. Ryan J. Skaggs, USMC, who are assigned to the Consolidated Public Affairs Office, Marine Corps Base Camp Smedley. D. Butler, Okinawa, Japan.
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