Philippines Trains
on US howitzers at 'PHIBLEX 2013'
'PHIBLEX
2013', a 14-day joint amphibious landing exercise based out of Subic Bay in the
Philippines, has given Philippine marines an opportunity to learn tactics and
test firepower that Manila may buy from the United States.
Philippine
troops practised with US Marine Corps (USMC) BAE Systems M777 ultra lightweight
howitzers, which officials say Manila is looking to purchase, and new mortar
systems.
For the
USMC's 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, the exercise is providing an opportunity
to practise deploying across the region at short notice. "Through this
exercise, we show our commands' capability to move across the regional area of
responsibility we are in, from Okinawa, and to project rapidly anywhere we need
to be," 3rd Marine Brigade commander Brigadier General Craig Timberlake
told IHS Jane's on 13 October.
The exercise,
which also features personnel from regional allies such as Australia and
observers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), comprises
air, amphibious and ground tactical training missions. For Brigadier General
Remigio Valdez, the Philippine Marines commander for the exercise, it is an
opportunity for hands-on training with the more advanced systems that the Armed
Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has recently acquired or is planning to buy.
(Jane’s)
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