US and the Philippines Marines will conduct a landing exercise known as PHIBLEX 33 in different locations in the Philippines on October 4, the US Pacific Command (PACOM) said in a press release.
PHIBLEX 33 is designed to improve joint humanitarian assistance efforts, interoperability and advance cooperation, as well as assist in strengthening bilateral amphibious capabilities, the release noted. “The Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine Marine Corps and US Marines and Sailors from the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade and Bonhomme Richard Expeditionary Strike Group will participate in the 33rd iteration of the Philippines Amphibious Landing Exercise (PHIBLEX 33), from October 4-12 at multiple locations in Luzon and Palawan,” the release stated on Tuesday. The exercise includes an amphibious landing and live-fire training, the release added.
“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 U.S. Marine Corps” said Brig. Gen. John M. Jansen, Commanding General, 3d Marine Expeditionary Brigade. “Exchanging expertise and cultivating our longstanding security alliance provides a cornerstone for security and stability in the region, and has for decades.”
Participating U.S. units are the 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.
Watch: PHIBLEX 2015
