CAMP AGUINALDO, Quezon City – The Armed Forces of the Philippines and the United States Armed Forces successfully executed maritime strike exercises at La Paz Sand Dunes in Laoag on May 8, 2024, as part of the Exercise Balikatan 39-2024.
A maritime strike exercise is a strategic military operation conducting integrated land, sea, and air platforms to simultaneously sense, target, and strike against simulated targets at sea. This aims to strengthen maritime security capabilities and proficiency in naval interdiction and deterrence operations.
Participating units from the AFP included the Philippine Navy’s BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150) and the Philippine Air Force’s 7th Tactical Fighter Squadron, which flew the FA-50. Additionally, they utilized SSM-700K C-Star anti-ship missiles and a fast attack interdiction craft armed with Spike missiles, to target the decommissioned BRP Lake Caliraya.
The US Armed Forces contributed the U.S. Air Force’s 13th Fighter Squadron, flying F-16 Fighting Falcons, and various other units such as the Royal Australian Air Force No. 2 Squadron, Marine Air Control Squadron-4, 3d Marine Littoral Regiment operating a TPS-80 Ground/Air Task Oriented Radar; Marine Air Control Group 38; 16th Special Operations Squadron, 27th Special Operations Wing, Air Force Special Operations Command, flying the AC-130J Ghostrider, and U.S. Navy VP-10 flying the P-8A Poseidon.
“This exercise was about the collective capability of our combined fires networks and increasing interoperability to sense and shoot targets from a variety of Philippine, U.S. and Australian land, sea and air platforms,” said U.S. Marine Col. Douglas Krugman, U.S. director, combined coordination center.
Philippine Exercise Director Major General Marvin Licudine praised the participating units for their strengthened ability to respond to maritime threats effectively.
"The success of this large-scale exercise demonstrates the combined capabilities of our forces in simulated maritime strike scenarios, reinforcing the solidarity of the Philippines-United States alliance. It sends a clear message of deterrence in the region, promoting peace and stability in our waters," said MGen Licudine.
