Tri-national amphibious landing exercise complete
A multi-national amphibious landing exercise has been carried out by the armed forces of the US, Philippines and Japan at Katungkulan Beach, Marine Barracks Gregorio Lim, during Exercise Kamandag 3.
The ship-to-shore manoeuvre came at the end of two weeks of combined training focused on assault amphibious vehicle interoperability.
The exercise saw Philippine and US forces perform reconnaissance of the beach followed by amphibious assault vehicles from all three armed forces launching from Philippine BRP Davao Del Sur and the US Marine Corps’ USS Germantown and coming ashore. Philippine and US marines secured the objective and Japanese soldiers lead a medical evacuation disaster relief drill.
The drill’s success validated the multinational forces’ ability to conduct complex, synchronised amphibious operations.
US Marine 1st Lt Malcolm Dunlop, an AAV platoon commander with 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, said: ‘Today was about effectively coordinating with our allies from the Philippines and Japan. AAVs representing each country manoeuvred simultaneously to conduct a movement up the beach. It’s crucial that we know how to do things side by side, so that in the face of serious military or humanitarian crises, we can work together to overcome the challenges that face us.’
Kamandag 3 is a Philippine-led, bilateral exercise with participation from Japan.
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