An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : Media : News : News Article View
NEWS | Jan. 28, 2022

U.S, Philippine Forces Kick Off Marine Exercise 22

U.S. Embassy in the Philippines

MANILA, U.S. Embassy in the Philippines -- The U.S. Navy and Marine Corps began training with the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Jan. 27, as part of Marine Exercise (MAREX) 2022 to further the maritime security capabilities of the U.S. and the Philippines.

During MAREX 22, the U.S. and the Philippines will conduct maritime operations training to boost their joint ability to enhance mutual defense capabilities and respond to natural disasters. Due to the pandemic, the forces will minimize contact throughout the exercise and implement protocols to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

“We appreciate this opportunity to strengthen our enduring alliance with the Philippines in the Indo-Pacific region through combined amphibious operations,” said Capt. Karry DeWayne Sanders, commodore of Amphibious Squadron One. “Our shared focus of regional security, stability, and prosperity in the Pacific will continue to enhance our partner nation’s capability as it has for the last seven decades.”

Among the events for this year’s MAREX, which will last until February 2, are amphibious assault coordination and execution, subject matter expert exchanges, and integrated maritime operations such as search and seizure operations and tactical maneuvering.

“Our goal is to successfully integrate our forces during planning and execution to conduct a full-scale, expeditionary amphibious operation, side-by-side with our Filipino partners. This exercise will further strengthen our commitment in the Indo-Pacific region, as well as be a memorable experience for our Marines and sailors,” said Col. James Lively, Commanding Officer, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit.

“We must continue to conduct relevant training that will improve our individual and collective capabilities,” said Maj. Gen. Ariel Caculitan, commandant of the Philippine Marine Corps. “MAREX is joined by our foreign counterpart and our major ally, the United States Marine Corps, that has long been training with us and sharing with us the duty to preserve regional peace and security.”

U.S. maritime assets participating in the exercise include the ships of the Essex (ESX) Amphibious Ready Group comprised of USS Essex (LHD 2), USS Portland (LPD 27), and USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52) with the embarked forces of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) to include Battalion Landing Team 1/1, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 165 (Reinforced), Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 214, and Combat Logistics Battalion (CLB) 11. Together, these units form a robust team to work alongside their Philippine Navy and Marine Corps counterparts.

As the U.S. and Philippines celebrate 75 years of security cooperation, MAREX 22 represents a mutual commitment to enhance the security and stability of the region.

CONNECT WITH USINDOPACOM
Facebook

Like Us
X
362,375
Follow Us

ENGAGE & CONNECT MORE WITH PACOM

                                                 

IN THE USINDOPACOM NEWS
Marine Aircraft Group 12 concludes Cope North 24
U.S. Marines with Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 232 performs preflight inspections on an F/A-18C Hornet aircraft at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Jan. 30, 2024. Nicknamed the “Red Devils,” VMFA-232 traveled from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan to Guam as a part of their Aviation Training Relocation Program deployment to train multilaterally with allies and partners, and enhance the squadron’s combat readiness. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. David Getz)
Feb. 28, 2024 - Marines with Marine Aircraft Group 12, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, completed Cope North 24, a three-week-long multinational aviation training exercise, alongside joint, partner, and allied forces in Guam and the Northern...

Department of Defense completes Underway Recovery Test 11 with NASA
U.S. Navy Divers assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 1 help NASA Astronaut U.S. Navy Capt. Victor J. Glover Jr. out of a crew module test article (CMTA) during Underway Recovery Test 11, Feb. 25, 2024. In preparation for NASA’s Artemis II crewed mission, which will send four astronauts in Orion beyond the Moon, NASA and the Department of Defense will conduct a series of tests to demonstrate and evaluate the processes, procedures and hardware used in recovery operations for crewed lunar missions. Amphibious transport docks, like USS San Diego, have unique capabilities that make it an ideal partner to support NASA, including embarking helicopters, launching and recovering small boats, three dimensional air search radar and advanced medical facilities. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Connor Burns)
Feb. 28, 2024 - NASA’s Exploration Ground Systems Landing and Recovery team and the Department of Defense successfully completed the second recovery test for the crewed Artemis II mission aboard the amphibious transport dock USS San Diego...

Japanese Special Boat Unit, U.S. Naval Special Warfare Unit Conduct Joint Training Exercise
A West Coast-based Naval Special Warfare unit conducts underway training with members of a Japanese Special Boat Unit near Naval Base White Beach in Okinawa, Japan. Naval Special Warfare is the nation's elite maritime special operations force, uniquely positioned to extend the Fleet's reach and gain and maintain access for the Joint Force in competition and conflict. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Chelsea D. Meiller)
Feb. 28, 2024 - A West Coast-based U.S. Naval Special Warfare unit integrated with a Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) Special Boat Unit (SBU) to conduct joint training on navigation, communications, radar, and more from Feb...

PACAF hosts Philippine Air Force for bilateral talks
U.S. Air Force Maj. Gen. Mark Weber, Air National Guard Assistant to the Pacific Air Forces Commander, provides opening remarks during an Airmen-to-Airmen Talk hosted by Pacific Air Forces at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, Feb. 13, 2024. Events like A2ATs enable PACAF personnel to expand foreign relations with Allies and partners across the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Jimmie D. Pike)
Feb. 27, 2024 - Pacific Air Forces hosted leaders from the Philippines Air Force for a bilateral discussion and subject matter expert exchange on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Feb. 13-15, 2024...

America Arrives in Osaka
Feb. 27, 2024 - The forward-deployed amphibious assault carrier, USS America (LHA 6) with embarked Marines assigned to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) arrived in Osaka, Japan, Feb. 27...