To enhance its amphibious assault operation, the Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) and United States forces officially opened Wednesday the third Kaagapay ng Mandirigma ng Dagat or KAMANDAG 3 annual joint exercise.
Lieutenant Orchie Bobis of the 3rd Marine Brigade (3MBDe) said in an interview Thursday that KAMANDAG 3 is a 10-day training exercise to be conducted simultaneously in the provinces of Palawan, Tarlac, Cavite, Nueva Ecija, Zambales, and Pampanga.
Bobis said that A “Planners Exercise” will be held in Puerto Princesa City with the participation of the Japan Ground Defense Force.
“The exercise will highlight each force’s capability for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. Also, to promote multinational military interoperability, readiness, and capability of both parties,” she said.
On Saturday, the participating troops will conduct an amphibious landing exercise and will showcase the PMC’s new amphibious assault vehicle.
Philippine and US troops will also conduct a landing operation in support of a counterterrorism scenario at the Marine Barracks Gregorio Lim in Ternate, Cavite to be followed by humanitarian assistance and disaster response exercises by the Japanese forces.
The exercise will be the first time the three countries are jointly participating and will mark an advance in amphibious capabilities as partners.
In addition, bilateral low-altitude air defense operation with a territorial defense mission will also be conducted at the Colonel Ernesto Rabina Air Base, also known as the Crow Valley Gunnery Range, Capas, Tarlac.
