Phase II of a joint military exercise between the Philippines and the United States dubbed Marine Aviation Support Activity (MASA) unfolds today in Zambales and in Taguig City, Metro Manila.
In a statement Sunday, the Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) said it will join its American counterpart, the US Marine Corps (USMC), for the second part of this year’s MASA to be held on July 18-22.
Activities include helicopter rope suspension training and aeromedical evacuation training.
Brig.Gen. Raul Jesus Caldez, acting PMC commandant and exercise director of MASA 2022, said that everything is set for the bilateral exercise.
Caldez said that through the activity, the PMC and USMC are expected to execute and refine their tactics, techniques, and procedures for interoperability.
MASA 2022 assistant training director Col. Gregorio Hernandez Jr. will be supervising the event and directing the demonstration of PMC’s aviation capabilities.
Phase I of the MASA 2022 was held on June 6-16 in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte and Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.
It focused on capacity enhancement training to develop the capabilities of the PMC with the Philippine Navy and Air Force assets as part of the national maneuver amphibious force.
The Philippines and U.S. forces also underwent trainings on Combined and Joint Forward Arming and Refueling, High Mobility Artillery Rocket System Rapid Infiltration, and Unmanned Aviation Systems.
The Philippines and U.S. have a mutual defense treaty signed in 1951. The two countries’ armed forces hold a number of joint exercises and trainings, including the Balikatan.