News

Philippine, 15th MEU Marines Share Emerging UAS and Counter-UAS Tactics During Exercise KAMANDAG 8
October 24, 2024 — U.S. Marines from Battalion Landing Team 1/5, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, shared new technologies and tactics for small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) and counter-UAS during training with the Philippine Marine Corps’ 3rd Marine Brigade at Tarumpitao Point, Palawan, Philippines, Oct. 17-21... MORE

U.S. Marines assigned to the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit and Philippine Marines assigned to Intelligence Company, 3rd Marine Brigade, pose for a photo during a counter-unmanned aircraft system subject matter expert exchange as part of exercise KAMANDAG 8 at Tarumpitao Point, Palawan Province, Philippines, Oct. 18, 2024. KAMANDAG is an annual Philippine Marine Corps and U.S. Marine Corps-led exercise aimed at enhancing the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ defense and humanitarian capabilities by providing valuable training in combined operations with foreign militaries in the advancement of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific. This year marks the eighth iteration of this exercise and includes participants from the French Armed Forces, Royal Thai Marine Corps, and Indonesian Marine Corps; including continued participation from the Australian Defense Force, British Armed Forces, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, and Republic of Korea Marine Corps. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Amelia Kang)

1st Cavalry Division Commemorates 80 Years Since the Leyte Landing
October 21, 2024 — Brig. Gen. Robert G. Born, deputy commanding general of maneuver for the 1st Cavalry Division, attended the 80th anniversary of the Leyte Landing celebration in Palo, Leyte, Philippines, on Oct. 20, 2024... MORE

Filipino actors reenact the Leyte Landing during the 80th anniversary of the Leyte Landing celebration in Palo, Leyte, Philippines, on Oct. 20, 2024.

U.S. Marines with MRF-SEA, 15th MEU Begin Exercise KAMANDAG 8 in the Philippines
October 15, 2024 — The U.S. Marine Corps, including personnel from Marine Rotational Force – Southeast Asia (MRF-SEA) and the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (15th MEU), and the Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) have begun KAMANDAG 8, a bilateral exercise scheduled from Oct. 15-25, 2024... MORE

From left, Philippine Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Vicente Map Blanco III, director, exercise directorate headquarters; Philippine Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Arturo G Rojas, commandant of the Philippine Marine Corps; U.S. Marine Corps Col. Stuart Glenn, commanding officer for Marine Rotational Force-Southeast Asia; and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Maj. Gen. Hajime Kitajima, commanding general of the JGSDF Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade, pose for a photo during a press conference following the opening ceremony for KAMANDAG 8 at Fort Bonifacio, Manila, Philippines, Oct. 15, 2024

U.S. Marines Complete Typhoon Krathon Humanitarian Assistance Efforts
October 15, 2024 — U.S. Marines across multiple forward-deployed commands concluded six days of foreign disaster relief efforts in the Philippines Oct. 10, 2024, supporting the U.S. Agency for International Development’s humanitarian response to Typhoon Krathon (locally known as Julian) at the request of the Philippine government... MORE

U.S. Marine Corps MV-22B Ospreys attached to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 165 (Reinforced), 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, land at Basco Airport during foreign disaster relief operations in Basco, Batanes Province, Philippines, Oct. 8, 2024. The U.S. Department of Defense is supporting the Republic of the Philippines at the request of the Government of the Philippines providing foreign disaster relief in the aftermath of Typhoon Krathon (Julian) in Northern Luzon. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Joseph Helms)

USS Boxer, 15th MEU arrive in Philippines to deliver emergency relief supplies
October 9, 2024 — Amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4), and embarked elements of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), arrived in the Philippines Oct. 8 to support the U.S. Agency for International Development's (USAID) efforts in foreign disaster response operations following Typhoon Krathon (locally known as Julian), which made landfall on the Province of Cagayan, Philippines, Sept. 30... MORE

U.S. Marines assigned to the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) unload cargo from an MV-22B Osprey attached to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 165 (Reinforced), 15th MEU, during foreign disaster relief operations at Basco Airport in Basco, Batanes Province, Philippines, Oct. 8, 2024.

Marine Rotational Force – Southeast Asia Begins Third Annual Deployment
October 3, 2024 — U.S. Marines and Sailors from I Marine Expeditionary Force have arrived in the Philippines as part of the third annual rotational deployment of Marine Rotational Force - Southeast Asia. MRF-SEA forces will begin their six-month stint in the region by training alongside Philippine Allies in exercises Sama Sama 2024 and KAMANDAG 8 from Oct. 7-24, 2024... MORE

A photo illustration created as a banner for Marine Rotational Force - Southeast Asia social media platforms to highlight MRF-SEA's warfighting readiness across the Indo-Pacific region, Sept. 30, 2024.

U.S. Navy Leads Multinational Team in Pacific Partnership Mission
October 2, 2024 — The 20th iteration of Pacific Partnership, the U.S. Navy’s largest maritime humanitarian and civic assistance mission conducted in the Indo-Pacific, concluded Sept. 23, 2024... MORE

Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Call With Philippine Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro Jr.
September 4, 2024 — Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder provided the following readout: Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and Philippine Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro Jr. spoke by phone today... MORE

818th Mobility Support Advisory Squadron Air Advisors strengthen partnerships and enhance interoperability at Marine Aviation Support Activity (MASA) 24: highlights from MASA 24 with the United States and Philippine militaries
August 29, 2024 — Two air advisors from the 818th Mobility Support Advisory Squadron traveled to the Philippines June 8-20, 2024 to support the United States Marine Corps Marine Aviation Support Activity 24... MORE

Pacific Partnership 2024-2 Concludes Second Mission Stop in Legazpi, Philippines
August 20, 2024 — Pacific Partnership 2024-2 (PP24-2) concluded its second mission stop in Legazpi, Philippines, Aug. 13, at a closing ceremony hosted aboard the expeditionary fast transport ship USNS City of Bismarck (T-EPF 9) at the Legazpi City Port... MORE

U.S. Navy Capt. Daniel Keeler, the Pacific Partnership 2024-2 (PP24-2) mission commander, gives remarks at the PP24-2 Philippines mission stop closing ceremony onboard the expeditionary fast transport ship USNS City of Bismarck (T-EPF 9) in Legazpi, Philippines, Aug. 13, 2024.

USS Mobile conducts Maritime Cooperative Activity with BRP Ramon Alcaraz
August 2, 2024 — The U.S. Navy and Armed Forces of the Philippines conducted a Maritime Cooperative Activity (MCA) in the South China Sea, upholding freedom of navigation and overflight, reaffirming the two nations’ commitment to bolstering regional security and stability, July 31... MORE

SOUTH CHINA SEA (July 31, 2024) – Independence-class littoral combat ship USS Mobile (LCS 26) conducts a Maritime Cooperative Activity with Philippine Navy’s Gregorio del Pilar-class patrol ship, BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PS 16), in the South China Sea, July 31, 2024. Mobile, part of Destroyer Squadron 7, is on a rotational deployment operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability with allies and partners and serve as a ready-response force in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Naval Aircrewman Tactical Helicopter 2nd Class Diego Chavez)

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III Concludes Eleventh Visit to the Indo-Pacific
July 31, 2024 — Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Ms. Sabrina Singh provided the following release:... MORE

Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Meeting with Philippine Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro
July 30, 2024 — Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III met today with Philippine Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro. The two officials discussed the historic momentum in U.S.-Philippine defense ties and reaffirmed their mutual commitment to strengthening the alliance, which has supported peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region for over 70 years... MORE

Joint Statement on the Philippines-United States Fourth 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue
July 30, 2024 — Secretary for Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo, Secretary of National Defense Gilberto C. Teodoro, Jr., Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken, and Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III (referred to collectively as "the Secretaries") convened the fourth Philippines-United States 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue in Manila on July 30, 2024 — the first to be held in Manila... MORE

Secretary Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III, Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo, and Philippine Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro, Jr. at a Joint Press Availability
July 30, 2024 — Transcript to the fourth Philippine-U.S. 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue joint press conference... MORE

Austin's 11th Visit to Indo-Pacific Builds Upon Sustained Momentum With Key Partners
July 26, 2024 — Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III is embarking on his 11th trip to the Indo-Pacific today amid what officials said is a landmark period for U.S. ties throughout the region... MORE

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III departs Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Nov. 13, 2023 en route to Jakarta, Indoenesia to attend the 10th ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting (ADMM)-Plus.

U.S., Philippine Forces Execute Joint Maritime Security Training Exercise
July 17, 2024 — For decades, the Sulu Archipelago, a collection of three main provinces in the southern Philippines, has served as a primary route for trafficking, illegal fishing, and smuggling illicit materials into the country. The islands create a seam between the Celebes and Sulu Seas, ending less than 50 miles from Malaysia. The area contains two vital sea lanes to the Philippines, the Sibutu Passage and the Basilan Strait... MORE

Philippine Special Forces soldiers conduct Visit, Board, Search and Seizure drills during a Joint Maritime Security Training Exercise off the coast of Jolo Island, Philippines, April 16, 2024.

Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Call With Philippine Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro Jr.
July 17, 2024 — Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder provided the following readout: Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and Philippine Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro Jr. spoke by phone today... MORE

CLB-15 Marines Innovate Tactical Resupply with Unmanned Aircraft in the Philippines
July 7, 2024 — As part of experimentation for expeditionary resupply concepts, Combat Logistics Battalion 15, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, recently employed the Tactical Resupply Unmanned Aircraft System during Exercise Balikatan 24 and Archipelagic Coastal Defense Continuum in the Philippines throughout April and May 2024... MORE

U.S. Marines inspect a load of cargo secured to a Tactical Resupply Unmanned Aircraft System before flight at a coastal defense site during Archipelagic Coastal Defense Continuum on Kamuning Beach, Palawan, Philippines, May 15, 2024. The TRUAS is a Class 3 unmanned aerial vehicle that can deliver supplies to remote and inaccessible areas. CLB-15 is employing the TRUAS as part of experimentation for expeditionary resupply concepts. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Joseph Helms)

Combined US-Philippine Forces Conduct Largest Tactical Convoy on Palawan Island
May 19, 2024 — Elements of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit and the Philippine Marine Corps’ 3rd Marine Brigade conducted the largest combined military convoy to date on Palawan Island, Philippines, May 15, 2024... MORE

A U.S. Marine Corps Joint Light Tactical Vehicle departs Philippine Marine Base Camp Rodolfo with Philippine Marine Corps vehicles belonging to the 3rd Marine Brigade during a combined convoy and mobile defense exercise as part of Archipelagic Coastal Defense Continuum in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines, May 15, 2024.