PH Marines,5 allies hold joint sea exercises
MARINE forces from the Philippines, the United States, Japan, South Korea, the United Kingdom and Australia will take part in the "Kamandag 08-24" sea exercise from October 15 to 25. In an advisory on Friday, the Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) said it will join the US Marine Corps as a primary participant in the drills, which stands for "Kaagapay ng Mga Mandirigma ng Dagat." They will be joined by units from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, Republic of Korea Marine Corps, United Kingdom Royal Marine Commandos, and Australian Defense Force. Kamandag is part of this year's activities set by the Mutual Defense Board-Security Exchange Board, composed of Philippine and US security officials. "The main exercise venues will be conducted across various training areas within the Northern Luzon Command, Western Command Joint Operational Areas, as well as in Manila and Cavite," the PMC said. It has yet to determine the exact number of participating troops to date. Activities include combined arms littoral live-fire in Burgos, Ilocos Norte; humanitarian assistance and disaster relief demonstration, also in Burgos; amphibious assault, raid, and counter-landing exercises in Aborlan and Rizal, Palawan; and a senior enlisted leaders symposium in Marine Barracks Rudiardo Brown, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City. Kamandag follows the interoperability exercises of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) and the Philippine Army (PA) that ended Thursday in Gamu, Isabela. PAF Chief Public Affairs Col. Ma Consuelo Castillo said the two-day exercises focused on fast rope operations, air-to-ground operations and precision heli sniping. Castillo said the exercises underscored the importance of rapid deployment, precision, and the integrated use of air and ground forces in various combat scenarios. "By strengthening operational capabilities, the Armed Forces reinforces its commitment to safeguarding national security and protecting the Filipino people," she said. A separate air force and army training exercise also commenced in Rizal, Kalinga, on Thursday. The exercises included intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), air interdiction, and close air support (CAS) missions. "These drills featured the PAF's fleet, including the FA-50 fighter jets, A-29B Super Tucano light attack aircraft, S-70i Black Hawk helicopters, Super Huey, and Agusta AW-109 helicopters," Castillo said. Army ground troops, meanwhile, executed mechanized infantry operations, enhancing their ability to synchronize movements and execute precise combat actions.
Tomas Kauer - Moderator 
MARINE forces from the Philippines, the United States, Japan, South Korea, the United Kingdom and Australia will take part in the "Kamandag 08-24" sea exercise from October 15 to 25.
In an advisory on Friday, the Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) said it will join the US Marine Corps as a primary participant in the drills, which stands for "Kaagapay ng Mga Mandirigma ng Dagat."
They will be joined by units from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, Republic of Korea Marine Corps, United Kingdom Royal Marine Commandos, and Australian Defense Force.
Kamandag is part of this year's activities set by the Mutual Defense Board-Security Exchange Board, composed of Philippine and US security officials.
"The main exercise venues will be conducted across various training areas within the Northern Luzon Command, Western Command Joint Operational Areas, as well as in Manila and Cavite," the PMC said.
It has yet to determine the exact number of participating troops to date.
Activities include combined arms littoral live-fire in Burgos, Ilocos Norte; humanitarian assistance and disaster relief demonstration, also in Burgos; amphibious assault, raid, and counter-landing exercises in Aborlan and Rizal, Palawan; and a senior enlisted leaders symposium in Marine Barracks Rudiardo Brown, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.
Kamandag follows the interoperability exercises of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) and the Philippine Army (PA) that ended Thursday in Gamu, Isabela.
PAF Chief Public Affairs Col. Ma Consuelo Castillo said the two-day exercises focused on fast rope operations, air-to-ground operations and precision heli sniping.
Castillo said the exercises underscored the importance of rapid deployment, precision, and the integrated use of air and ground forces in various combat scenarios.
"By strengthening operational capabilities, the Armed Forces reinforces its commitment to safeguarding national security and protecting the Filipino people," she said.
A separate air force and army training exercise also commenced in Rizal, Kalinga, on Thursday.
The exercises included intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), air interdiction, and close air support (CAS) missions.
"These drills featured the PAF's fleet, including the FA-50 fighter jets, A-29B Super Tucano light attack aircraft, S-70i Black Hawk helicopters, Super Huey, and Agusta AW-109 helicopters," Castillo said.
Army ground troops, meanwhile, executed mechanized infantry operations, enhancing their ability to synchronize movements and execute precise combat actions.
