MANILA, Philippines — United States and Philippine Marines conducted an amphibious landing exercise as part of the "Kamandag" joint exercises in Zambales last Saturday.
An acronym for "Kaagapay ng mga Mandirigma ng Dagat" or Cooperation of Warriors of the Sea, the Kamandag exercise is a major joint military drill between the Philippines and the US focused on developing counterterrorism and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief capabilities.
Assault amphibious vehicles (AAVs) were launched from the US Navy's USS Ashland and the Philippine Navy's BRP Davao del Sur during the exercise at the Naval Education and Training Command in San Antonio, Zambales.
U.S. Marines and Philippine Marines conduct an amphibious landing during KAMANDAG 2 in Naval Education Training Command, Philippines, Oct. 6, 2018. KAMANDAG helps maintain a high level of readiness and enhances bilateral military-to-military relations and capabilities. (U.S. Marine corps photo by Lance Cpl. Christine Phelps)
Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Soldiers provide aid during humanitarian aid and disaster relief training during an amphibious landing as part of KAMANDAG 2 in Naval Education Training Command, Philippines, Oct. 6, 2018. KAMANDAG 2 is a counterterrorism and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief exercise. (U.S. Marine corps photo by Lance Cpl. Christine Phelps)
Philippine Marines post security during an amphibious landing as part of KAMANDAG 2 in Naval Education Training Command, Philippines, Oct. 6, 2018. KAMANDAG helps maintain a high level of readiness and enhances bilateral military-to-military relations and capabilities. (U.S. Marine corps photo by Lance Cpl. Christine Phelps)
U.S. Marines with 3rd platoon, Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, help each other into their combat rubber raiding craft during KAMANDAG 2, on Philippine Marine Corps base Gregorio Lim, Philippines, Oct. 4, 2018. KAMANDAG is a routine training exercise that helps maintain a high level of readiness and enhances bilateral military-to-military relations and capabilities. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Christian Ayers.)
U.S. Marines with 3rd platoon, Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, carry their combat rubber raiding craft onto the beach as they finish a broaching drill during KAMANDAG 2, on Philippine Marine Corps base Gregorio Lim, Philippines, Oct. 4, 2018. KAMANDAG is a routine training exercise that helps maintain a high level of readiness and enhances bilateral military-to-military relations and capabilities. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Pfc. Christian Ayers.)
U.S. Marine Brig. Gen. Chris McPhillips watches as members of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) board the USS Ashland at Subic Bay, Philippines, Oct. 3, 2018. The U.S. Marine Corps (USMC), the JGSDF, and the Philippine Navy (PN) are conducting an amphibious joint-training exercise as a part of KAMANDAG 2 for future humanitarian operations. The purpose of this exercise is to embark and disembark from ship to land and back using Assault Amphibious Vehicles. (U.S. Marine Corps Photo by Lance Cpl. Kevan Dunlop)
U.S. Marines with Assault Amphibious Vehicle Platoon, Echo Company, Battalion Landing Team 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit prepare to embark the USS Ashland in assault amphibious vehicles during KAMANDAG 2 in Subic Bay, Philippines, Oct. 3, 2018. KAMANDAG helps maintain a high level of readiness and enhances bilateral military-to-military relations and capabilities. (U.S. Marine corps photo by LCpl. Christine Phelps)
The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force prepares to embark on the USS Ashland in assault amphibious vehicles during KAMANDAG 2 in Subic Bay, Philippines, Oct. 3, 2018. KAMANDAG helps maintain a high level of readiness and enhances bilateral military-to-military relations and capabilities. (U.S. Marine corps photo by LCpl. Christine Phelps)
The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force embarks on the USS Ashland in an assault amphibious vehicle during KAMANDAG 2 in Subic Bay, Philippines, Oct. 3, 2018. KAMANDAG 2 increases the high level of readiness and improves the interoperability amongst the countries participating in the exercise. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Lance Cpl. Destiny Dempsey)
U.S. Marines and Philippine Marines participate in an amphibious landing during KAMANDAG 2 at Naval Education Training Command, Philippines, Oct. 6, 2018. KAMANDAG 2 is an exercise used to promote cohesion between nations in counter-terrorism, humanitarian operations, and disaster relief. This exercise is executed using Assault Amphibious Vehicles. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Kevan Dunlop)
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Japanese AAVs were also deployed in the drills to participate in a humanitarian training mission with their Filipino and American counterparts.
“Amphibious operations are a core competency that shapes who we are as Marines,” Lt. Col. Henry Espinoza of the Philippine Marines said.
The Philippine Marines is anticipating the arrival of its first fleet of AAVs next year, according to Espinoza.
"The training we received from the U.S. Marines provides the Filipino AAV operators knowledge on how these amphibious vehicles operate, which is crucial to how our own AAV operators will effectively conduct future operations," he said. — Patricia Lourdes Viray
