CAMP AGUINALDO, Quezon City — As part of the Balikatan Exercise 39-2024’s Multilateral Maritime Exercise (MME), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the United States Indo-Pacific Command (US-INDOPACOM), and the French Navy conducted a joint Maritime Search and Rescue (MSAR) exercise on April 28 in the West Philippine Sea.

The participating naval ships for the MSAR include the Philippine Navy's offshore patrol vessel BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PS-16) and landing dock BRP Davao Del Sur (LD-602), the US Navy's landing ship dock USS Harpers Ferry (LSD-49), and the French Navy's FS Vendemiaire (FFH-734), a Floreal-class frigate. 

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), United States Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) and the French Navy successfully conducted a Simulated Replenishment at Sea (RAS) exercise on 26 April 2024 as part of the ongoing Multilateral Maritime Exercise (MME) in the West Philippine Sea.

The exercise was led by the BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PS16), with participation from FS Vendemiaire (FFH734), BRP Davao del Sur (LD602), and USS Harpers Ferry (LSD49).

Philippine Marines and their counterparts from the United States Marine Corps (USMC) conducted an air assault exercise in Balabac Island, Palawan on April 26, as part of the ongoing Balikatan exercises. 

Utilizing the USMC CH53E Super Stallion, the air assault exercise involved the insertion of troops via helicopters into a designated zone, simulating a rapid deployment scenario. This exercise demonstrates the combined capabilities of the Philippine and US Marines in conducting complex military operations.

📸: PIO, Tactical Operations Wing West and TACP Balabac, Tactical Operations Group 7

CAMP AGUINALDO, Quezon City- BGen Joel M Paloma, Chief of the Office for Strategic Studies and Strategy Management (OSSSM), on behalf of General Romeo Brawner Jr., Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, encouraged participants of the Field Study Visit Activity (FSVA) for an active strategic engagement on April 26, 2024, at the General Headquarters, AFP. 

The activity hosted by the AFP was participated by the Master in National Security Administration (MNSA) Regular Class 59 (RC-59), National Defense College of the Philippines (NDCP) officials, faculty, and staff with the aim to provide an understanding of the development and execution of defense and military strategy.