Latest news with #KamandagExercise
GMA Network
6 days ago
- General
- GMA Network
PH, US marines hold live-fire drill in Tarlac
Filipino personnel who are skilled in mortar operations exchanged knowledge and ideas with their US counterparts, according to the PMC. (Courtesy if the Philippine Marines) The Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) and the United States Marine Corps (USMC) conducted a joint live-fire exercise at Colonel Ernesto Rabina Air Base in Tarlac on Thursday as part of the Kamandag Exercise. In a statement, the PMC said the 81mm mortar was used in the activity. 'PMC fired mortar rounds at designated targets, demonstrating accuracy. The USMC likewise showcased their own mortar operations, performing their methods for target acquisition and fire correction before successfully engaging their assigned targets,' the PMC said. Filipino personnel who are skilled in mortar operations exchanged knowledge and ideas with their US counterparts, according to the PMC. The exercise also exhibited coordinated fire adjustments facilitated by forward observers to enhance accuracy on the battlefield, the PMC added. An observer from Thailand witnessed the live-fire exercise. 'The live-fire exercise highlights the enduring partnership between the PMC and USMC in their mutual commitment to enhancing and readiness through continued cooperation and joint training,' the PMC said. This year's Kamandag Exercise officially commenced on May 26 and is scheduled to conclude on June 6. PMC commandant Major General Arturo Rojas said a total of around 4,000 participants are expected to join the training. The US missile system Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS) will be used in the training. Among the exercises that will be featured in this year's Kamandag are the following: Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosive (CBRN) Subject Matter Expert Exchange (SMEE) Senior Enlisted Leaders Symposium (SELS) Maritime & Special Operation Forces events Live Fire Integration Maritime Strike Counter-Landing/Defensive Retrograde Operation Special Operating Forces Strike Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief. –NB, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
26-05-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
PH, US marines open Kamandag exercise; NMESIS to be used in training
The Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) and the United States Marine Corps (USMC) officially opened Monday their Kamandag Exercise for this year with the participation of other countries. At a press conference, PMC commandant Major General Arturo Rojas said a total of around 4,000 participants are expected to join the training, which is set to be completed on June 6. 'We have around 2,000 for the PMC side and around the same number with our USMC counterparts,' Rojas said. The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, Republic of Korea Marine Corps, and United Kingdom Armed Forces will also participate in Kamandag. Meanwhile, the Netherlands, Bahrain, Canada, New Zealand, among others, will serve as observers. The US' missile system Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS) will be used in training, according to Rojas. 'We'll be using the NMESIS also. Again, be able to learn and sustain what we have, what we did in the past Balikatan,' he said. The NMESIS will be deployed to the northern Luzon area, according to USMC's Marine Rotational Force - Darwin 25.3 commanding officer Colonel Jason Armas. 'These are scenario-driven exercises where we will conduct operations with the NMESIS, which is a great capability. It extends the commander's operational reach. And what it really does is it continues to validate Force Design 2030 for the USMC,' Armas said. 'And I would argue that it truly enhances the archipelagic coastal defense concept for the Philippine Armed Forces and really moving forward in modernization,' he added. Among the exercises that will be featured in this year's Kamandag are the following: Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosive (CBRN) Subject Matter Expert Exchange (SMEE) Senior Enlisted Leaders Symposium (SELS) Maritime & Special Operation Forces events Live Fire Integration Maritime Strike Counter-Landing/Defensive Retrograde Operation Special Operating Forces Strike Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News
