News

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.

Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group Arrives in the Philippines
January 5, 2024 — Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), flagship of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 1, embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2, Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG 59) and Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Kidd (DDG 100) and USS Sterett (DDG 104) arrived in the Philippines for a scheduled port visit Jan. 5... MORE

Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) sets anchors in Manila, Philippines.

US, Philippines Partner with Allies During Exercise Sama Sama 2023
October 2, 2023 — The U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, Armed Forces of the Philippines joined allies to commence the seventh iteration of exercise Sama Sama in the city of Manila, Philippines, October Oct. 2nd... MORE

MANILA, Philippines (Oct. 2, 2023) – Vice Adm. Karl Thomas, Commander, Seventh Fleet, left, Vice Adm. Toribio D. Adaci Jr., Flag Officer in Command, Philippine Navy, center, and Commodore Joe Anthony C. Orbe, Commander, Naval Forces Southern Luzon, pose for a photo with service members of participating nations of Sama Sama 2023. MTA Sama Sama is a multilateral exercise including forces from Philippines, the United States, Australia, France, Japan, Canada and the United Kingdom designed to promote regional security cooperation, enhance maritime interoperability, and maintain and strengthen maritime partnerships. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Sean Lynch)

U.S. facilitates Philippine Air Force AOC, ISR training
September 26, 2023 — At the request of the government of the Philippines, the 505th Training Squadron located at Hurlburt Field, Florida, sent a team of U.S. Air Force Air Operations Center Formal Training Unit instructors to Villamor Air Base, Philippines, from Aug. 10-19... MORE

photo of a large group of U.S. Air Force military members and Philippine Air Force members standing in front of a building

Pacific Partnership Returns to the Philippines
August 22, 2023 — Pacific Partnership has arrived in the Philippines to conduct the largest annual multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster relief preparedness mission conducted in the Indo-Pacific, Aug. 22... MORE

Pacific Partnership 2023, Armed Forces of the Philippines and Republic of Korea Cheon Ja Bong (LST-687) service members and Mr. Hermenegildo A. Gualberto, Mayor of San Fernando City, pose for a photo after an opening ceremony at Town Plaza San Fernando City, Aug. 22.

Strengthening Alliances: U.S. Marines return to the Philippines for MASA 23
July 10, 2023 — In a testament to the enduring commitment to strengthening regional partnerships and fostering military cooperation, U.S. Marines (USMC) and Sailors from across I and III Marine Expeditionary Forces (MEF) are arriving in the Philippines to participate in Marine Aviation Support Activity (MASA) 23, scheduled to take place throughout the Philippines from July 6-21... MORE

Austin Visit to Philippine Base Highlights Benefits of U.S-Philippine Alliance
February 2, 2023 — Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III visited Camp Navarro in Mindanao, Philippines, where U.S. and Philippine service members are working closely together to ensure long-term prosperity of the region... MORE

Two men, one in business attire speak to a third person who is off-camera.

Visit of USAID Official to Reinforce U.S. Commitment to Partnership for Growth
December 16, 2014 — The U.S. Embassy in Manila will host a top official from the United StatesAgency for International Development (USAID) next week. Eric G. Postel, USAID’sAssistant Administrator and Partnership for... MORE

Peleliu Expeditionary Strike Group concludes PHIBLEX 15
October 10, 2014 — Sailors and Marines from the Peleliu Expeditionary Strike Group (PEL ESG) completed the 31st iteration of Amphibious Landing Exercise (PHIBLEX) Friday, Oct. 10.PHIBLEX 15 is an annual, bilateral... MORE