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U.S. Marines begin training exercise in Philippines
By David Allen, Stars and Stripes
Pacific edition, Wednesday, February 5, 2003 CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa ? About 600 U.S. Marines from Okinawa began a three-week training exercise Monday in the Philippines. Dubbed ?Marine Interoperability Exercise,? the training is to focus on small-unit patrols, reconnaissance, helicopter missions and ordnance identification. It is one of more than a dozen exercises with Philippines troops scheduled this year under the defense treaty between the two countries. It is not part of counter-terrorism training going on elsewhere in the country, the Philippine Department of National Defense said. Marines from the 3rd Marine Division landed at the former U.S. naval base at Subic Bay over the weekend. The exercise was to take place at the former Clark Air Base in central Luzon and at Ternate, south of Manila. Philippine Marine Corps Commander Maj. Gen. Librado Ladia said the exercises are to ?improve bilateral planning, combat readiness and interoperability? between the two sides, according to the Philippine Star newspaper in Manila. The Marines brought six CH-53D helicopters to train for parachuting and ground attack operations, said Marine spokeswoman 1st Lt. Amy Malugani. ?We are always looking to increase our readiness, to enhance our capabilities, to expand in our ability with our friendly forces. It?s a small exercise,? Malugani told the Philippine Star newspaper, ?but still a unique experience for our Marines in an unfamiliar terrain to train with Philippine marines.? ?U.S. forces will certainly benefit from this exercise by way of gaining experience in terrain operations and cultural interaction with Filipino troops,? said Philippine Defense Secretary Angelo Reyes. ?Filipino troops, on the other hand, will have an opportunity to learn from their counterparts new tactical doctrines and field engagement techniques.? The training will overlap the annual ?Balance Piston? exercise that began last week at Clark and Fort Magsaysay. About 450 American troops are taking part in Balance Piston from: ? The 353rd Special Operations Group, Kadena Air Base, Okinawa. ? The 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment based in Taegu, South Korea. ? The 1st Battalion, 1st Special Forces Group from Torii Station, Okinawa. U.S. Special Forces, meanwhile, continue to conduct anti-terrorism training in the southern Philippines. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Sempers, Roger
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IN LOVING MEMORY OF MY HUSBAND SSgt. Roger A. One Proud Marine 1961-1977 68/69 http://www.geocities.com/thedrifter001/ |
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