10/8/2012
By Cpl. Nicholas Rhoades , III MEF
SUBIC BAY, Philippines – The opening ceremony of the Amphibious Landing Exercise 2013 took place Oct. 8, 2012 aboard USS Bonhomme Richard. More than 300 U.S. Marines, sailors and service members from the Armed Forces of the Philippines gathered here to commemorate the 29th iteration of the bilateral and interagency training exercise that gives these militaries a chance to train together on a wide range of capabilities focused on humanitarian assistance disaster relief.
“PHIBLEX 2013 is an opportunity, a venue, and an exchange of professional expertise and technological advancement between the Philippine Navy, Air Force, Army, local government units, defense leaders and our counterparts across borders, the United States Marine Corps,” said AFP Brigadier Gen. Remigio C. Valdez, Exercise Director.
The 10 day exercise by III Marine Expeditionary Force, 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, and units from all four services of the Armed Forces of the Philippines are scheduled to participate in air raids, artillery training, beach landings, engineering civic action projects, community health engagements, a staff planning exercise, and a final live fire exercise utilizing tactics and capabilities of both the U.S. forces as well as the AFP.
“We are building relationships with our Philippine counterparts that will prove beneficial to all,” said Brig. Gen. Craig Timberlake, commanding general 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade. “We are aiming at improving the capabilities of the Philippine and U.S. Marines and continue strengthening the ties between our two nations.”