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PH, US Marines wrap up joint exercise 'MASA'

Philippines | National

PH, US Marines wrap up joint exercise 'MASA'

By Martin Sadongdong

(Photo: Philippine Marine Corps)

(Photo: Philippine Marine Corps)

The Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) and the United States Marine Corps (USMC) officially concluded the Marine Air Support Activity 2025 (MASA 25) on Friday, Oct. 24, after two weeks of interoperability exercises focusing on enhancing both forces’ air-to-ground operational skills.

The closing ceremony at the Philippine Navy Officers’ Clubhouse, Naval Station Jose Francisco in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City was graced by USMC Colonel Robb McDonald, commanding officer of the Marine Rotational Force–Southeast Asia, I Marine Expeditionary Force, and PMC Colonel Armando B. Custodio, superintendent of the Marine Corps Force Development Center.

The exercise, which ran across various training venues in Ilocos Norte, Zambales, Taguig City, Cavite, and Palawan, aimed to strengthen interoperability and cooperation between the two forces through a series of joint drills.

Among the key activities conducted were coastal defense, maritime strike, military free fall, and various subject matter expert exchanges (SMEE) focusing on medical and operational readiness.

In his remarks, McDonald emphasized the significance of MASA in enhancing both forces’ readiness and capability to address evolving security challenges.

“That is what MASA is all about: a focus on leveraging new capabilities and emerging concepts, especially as they relate to maritime defense, and striking hard at threats. By training together, we enhance regional stability and security for a free and open Indo-Pacific,” he added.

This year’s MASA brought together 524 personnel from the PMC and 130 troops from the USMC. There were also marine reservists, personnel from the Philippine Air Force-Naval Air Wing and Philippine Coast Guard who joined the activity.

Related Tags

MASA PMC Marines USMC

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