CAMP AGUINALDO, Quezon City -- The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Australian Defence Force (ADF) successfully executed Combined and Joint Forcible Entry Operations during Exercise ALON 2025 on 24 August in San Vicente, Palawan, facing the West Philippine Sea.
The large-scale amphibious drill showcased interoperability, rapid deployment, and strengthened maritime security cooperation between the Philippines and Australia, with approximately 1,000 AFP personnel participating in the simulated beach landing and objective retake scenario.
From the AFP, the exercise featured Marine Battalion Landing Team-11, 61st Force Recon Company with attached Small Unit Riverine Craft and Patrol Craft from the Marine Corps Assault Boat Battalion, Marine Battalion Landing Team-9, Marine Battalion Landing Team-7, and two FA-50 fighter aircraft providing air support.
The ADF deployed a Joint Pre-Landing Force with Combat Rubber Raiding Crafts, HMAS Brisbane (DDG41) with an embarked MH-60R Seahawk helicopter, and a RAAF EA-18G Growler for electronic warfare support. A US Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey also observed the exercise.
AFP Chief of Staff General Romeo S Brawner Jr. lauded the troops for their professionalism and the significance of the exercise in preparing for modern challenges.
“Today’s Combined and Joint Forcible Entry Operations was very successful. What makes this year’s ALON Exercise different is that we fully integrated the air, maritime, and land domains,” General Brawner said.
The activity underscored the AFP’s advancement toward multi-domain operations to prepare forces for evolving challenges, while Exercise ALON 2025 served as a testament to the enduring defense partnership between the Philippines and Australia and the shared commitment of partner nations to uphold peace, security, and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
Photo: PAOAFP
