NAVSOG, MARSOG keep abreast with counterparts

By Francis Wakefield Elements of the Philippine Navy’s two special forces, the Naval Special Operations Group (NAVSOG) and Marine Special Operations Group (MARSOG), are currently undergoing series of drills and exercises with foreign counterparts at Boondock Training Area, Marine Corps Base Hawaii in Kaneohe Bay, Honolulu, Hawaii. Cdr Jonathan V. Zata, the Director of the Naval Public Affairs Office, said NAVSOG has participated in Fast Rope Insertion and Extraction System Training and Combat Marksmanship Drills while MARSOG has undergone training on Urban Operations, Amphibious Assault Vehicle Familiarization, Combat Life Saving, Ground-Air Integration, Heliborne Raid Operations, Small Boat Insertion, and Shallow Water Egress. Zata said these drills and training are part of the harbor phase of the ongoing Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) Exercise 2018, the world’s premier and largest joint and combined naval exercise hosted by the US Navy’s Pacific Fleet and held biennially at Honolulu, Hawaii. "The Philippine Navy's participation in naval exercise with such magnitude allows our sailors and marines to exchange best practices with and learn from the best navies in the world," Zata said in a statement. The Philippine Navy contingent is led by Capt. Ernesto O. Baldovino, the commander of Naval Task Force 86 RIMPAC. RIMPAC 2018 will run until Aug. 2, 2018. Zata said the Philippine Navy’s participation to RIMPAC 2018 trumpets the Command’s commitment in promoting multilateral cooperation to strengthen relationship and cooperation among participating navies of the world. "This is the first time that the Philippine Navy sent a contingent to participate in the world’s largest maritime international exercise. It is also a great avenue to train participating commanders, staff and forces in planning and execution of combined nava operations," Zata said.