The Philippine Marines and the US Marine Corps Forces, Pacific (MARFORPAC) began on Tuesday their exercises in Palawan under the three-week bilateral training called Marine Aviation Support Activity 2022 (MASA 22) following its opening at the Marine Corps headquarters at Fort Bonifacio.
According to Marine spokesman Major Emery Torre, the MASA 22 is a bilateral exercise between the two forces that is aimed at enhancing the combined and joint interoperability among the participating forces in conducting tactical and heliborne operations.
It includes integrated and joint interoperability activities such as coastal defense forward arming and refueling and subject matter exchanges for unmanned aviation system and engineering, which will be participated by the Philippine Navy’s Naval Air Wing and the Philippine Air Force.
The bilateral training’s activities in Palawan will run until June 17 and it will continue in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte for four days.
During the opening ceremony, Marine Commandant Major Gen. Nestor Herico recognized aviation’s vital role in military operations as he underscored the need to have a strong Navy and strong Marines.
Lt. Gen. Steven Rudder, US Marine Corps Forces, Pacific commander also said the “training side-by-side increases a combined military capability and friendship which directly contributes strength” to the two country’s alliance.