Article by:
Priam Nepomuceno
MANILA – Marine units of the Philippines and the United States are conducting exercises that would enhance their interoperability in combined tactical and heliborne operations.
The exercises, formally called the "Marine Aviation Support Activity 2022" (MASA 22), began on Monday and ends on June 17, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) public affairs office chief Col. Jorry Baclor said in a statement Tuesday night.
It is a bilateral exercise between the Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) and the United States Marine Corps (USMC).
"Activities commenced on June 6 in the province of Palawan and will end on June 17 that includes combined joint forward arming and refueling demonstration, and a lecture on unmanned air systems operations," Baclor said.
He said four C-17 transport aircraft of the US Air Force arrived in Laoag City on Monday, along with a US C-130 plane that landed Tuesday carrying personnel and equipment for the second leg of the exercise from July 18 to 22.
This series will feature lectures on sensor operations, air surveillance, air defense, and high-mobility artillery rocket system infiltration.
The MASA 22 also includes integrated and joint interoperability activities, such as coastal defense forward arming and refueling, and subject matter exchanges for unmanned aviation systems and engineering with participants from the Naval Air Wing of the Philippine Navy and the Philippine Air Force.
PMC Commandant, Maj. Gen. Nestor C. Herico, recognized aviation's vital role in military operations as he underscored the need to have a strong Navy and Marines.
Meanwhile, US Marine Corps Forces, Pacific commander, Lt. Gen. Steven R. Rudder, acknowledged that “training side-by-side increases a combined military capability and friendship, which directly contributes strength to this alliance.”
Rudder also thanked the Philippine government for supporting the conduct of the MASA 22. (PNA)
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