MANILA, Philippines -- Marine Aviation Support Activity (MASA) 19.2, a semiannual U.S.-Philippine military exercise focused on mutual defense, counterterrorism and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, is scheduled to take place in the Philippines from July 15 - 25, 2019.

Marines and aircraft from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262 and 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, based in Okinawa, Japan, will be partnering with the Armed Forces of the Philippines during this exercise.

This iteration of MASA focuses on building interoperability and enhancing the capabilities of both the Armed Forces of the Philippines and U.S. armed forces.

Philippine and U.S. service members will conduct cooperation and interoperability training consistent with the Mutual Defense Treaty and Visiting Forces Agreement.

Military training exercises like these allow the U.S. to strengthen our longstanding security alliance with our friends, partners and allies in the Philippines.