MANILA, PHILLIPINES -- In collaboration with the Armed Forces of the Philippines, 3D Marine Expeditionary Brigade will participate in the inaugural Exercise KAMANDAG from Oct. 2-11, 2017, at multiple locations on the island of Luzon, Philippines.

The purpose of this Philippines-led military exercise is to conduct bilateral exchanges between Philippine and U.S. forces. Exercise training will enhance cooperation and interoperability between the Philippines and the U.S., consistent with the Mutual Defense Treaty and Visiting Forces Agreement, as we continue our commitment to share information and provide support to each other throughout a range of military operations.

KAMANDAG will enable military-to-military exchanges between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and U.S. forces, with a focus on enhancing counterterrorism capabilities, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief capabilities, and conducting humanitarian and civic assistance projects. Military service members from both countries will work together during combined events in order to develop improved techniques and procedures, enabling them to learn and grow both through tactics and personal relationships.

KAMANDAG is an acronym for the Filipino phrase “Kaagapay Ng Mga Mandirigma Ng Dagat,” which translates to “Cooperation of Warriors of the Sea,” highlighting the partnership between the Philippine and United States militaries. KAMANDAG will increase overall U.S. and Philippine readiness, improve combined responsiveness to crises in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region, and further reinforce our decades-long partnership.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines and U.S. forces began preparing for KAMANDAG with a groundbreaking ceremony for humanitarian and civic assistance projects in Casiguran, Aurora, Philippines Sept. 15, 2017.