US, PHL marine units to participate in PHIBLEX 33

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 25): US, PHL marine units to participate in PHIBLEX 33

US marines and sailors from the US Marine Expeditionary Brigade and the Bonhomme Richard Expeditionary Strike will be participating in the 33rd Philippine Amphibious Landing Exercise (PHIBLEX) which will take place in various locations in Luzon and Palawan from October 4 to 12.

Humanitarian civic assistance efforts, an amphibious landing exercise and live-fire training featuring artillery are just a few of the many team building opportunities during PHIBLEX 33, all designed to advance cooperation, improve inter-operability and assist in strengthening bilateral amphibious capabilities.

"The opportunity to train and build mutually beneficial capabilities with our Armed Forces of the Philippines partners is essential for sharpening our bilateral amphibious and humanitarian assistance capabilities, both hallmarks of the US Marine Corps,” 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade commander Brig. Gen. John M. Jansen said.

“Exchanging expertise and cultivating our longstanding security alliance provides a cornerstone for security and stability in the region, and has for decades,” he added.

PHIBLEX 33 will include approximately 1,400 US service members based in Okinawa, Japan and 500 Filipino personnel working side-b yside to grow capabilities and better prepare to operate together during a natural disaster or armed conflict.

The humanitarian and civic assistance portion of the exercise, beginning this month and concluding on Oct. 12, includes engineering projects to improve local infrastructure and health engagements to exchange medical best practices and supplement the medical needs of Philippine citizens.

Field training during the exercise includes small arms and artillery live-fire which will provide the and US Marine units multiple opportunities to maintain and sharpen their skills while enhancing an already high level of inter-operability.

Additional US units participating include Amphibious Squadron 11, the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and the three ships of Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Ready Group (BHR ARG).

The ARG consists of the USS BHR (LHD-6), the USS Green Bay (LPD-20), and the USS Germantown (LSD-48).

Philippine units include the 3d Marine Brigade and the Philippine Navy’s new strategic sealift vessel, the BRP Tarlac (LD-601).

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=925909