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Philippine and U.S. troops build an elementary school during Exercise TALON VISION.
Photo by Cpl. Daniel W. Yarnall, USMC |
Conclusion
Exercise TALON VISION provided significant benefits for both forces. Two of the participants best summarized those benefits. “They [U.S. Marines] have taught my Marines how to effectively maneuver against contact from the enemy, allowing our team commanders to easily act against the approaching enemy,” said Philippine Marine 2nd Lt. Rey M. Polinar. “The main reason the U.S. and Philippine Marines [train together] is to share knowledge of our specialties such as [marksmanship], maneuver, and most of all to share the camaraderie between the U.S. and Philippine Marines.”
U.S. Marine 1st Sgt. Ron Dickenson echoed 2nd Lt Polinar when he said that forming a brotherhood with the Philippine service members is the crucial factor of the training. “The key aspect of all of this is to operate with the Philippine Marines to build a sense of camaraderie with our Marine brothers,” said 1st Sgt. Dickenson. “The American and Filipino people share the English language, the same values, and have been allies in the past for the cause of freedom. If we are called to go to combat together, then we need to know how they fight, and they need to know how we fight.”
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One of the rewarding highlights of Exercise TALON VISION for the two allies is working on a community project and interacting with the local community. Here, U.S. Marine PFC Charles Engblom plays a game with Filipino children on the playground of the elementary school where Philippine and U.S. troops helped build a schoolhouse during Exercise TALON VISION 2004.
Photo by Cpl. Daniel W. Yarnall, USMC |
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