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The Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) and the United States Marine Corps (USMC) completed a three-day familiarization and flight demonstration of Small Unmanned Aircraft System (SUAS) operations at Tarumpitao Point, Barangay Punta Baja, Rizal, from October 17-19.
The training was conducted as part of the ongoing Exercise Kamandag 08-24, or the Kaagapay ng mga Mandirigma sa Dagat (“cooperation of warriors at sea”), between Philippines and U.S. forces.
The exercise primarily focused on drone operations and maritime domain awareness, which will enhance the skills of our Marines in operating SUAS to support our missions.
The eighth iteration of Exercise Kamandag is seen to strengthen the partnership and military ties between the two countries, fostering collaboration in addressing common security concerns while also engaging other nations in shared regional objectives.
Aside from the United States, military forces from Australia, Japan, the United Kingdom, and Korea also joined this year’s exercise, either as direct participants or observers in other activities under the joint area operation of Northern Luzon Command.
On October 17, the two forces also held a force integration exercise where they conducted live firing and familiarization of heavy weapon systems using a Rocket-Propelled Grenade (RPG) launcher and a Shoulder-Launched Multi-Purpose Assault Weapon (SMAW) at Naval Detachment Oyster Bay.
The activities in Palawan will culminate with a counter-landing exercise in Long Point, Brgy. Aporawan, Aborlan, on Tuesday, October 22.