Essex ARG, 31st MEU Participate in RP-US Exercises
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS061018-04
Release Date: 10/18/2006 10:14:00 AM
From Task Force 76 Public Affairs
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES (NNS) -- The USS Essex (LHD 2) Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) with embarked Marines of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) began Talon Vision and Amphibious Landing Exercise (PHIBLEX) FY 2007 with an official joint ceremony held at the Ft. Bonifacio Naval Station in Taguig City, Oct. 16.
The two annual exercises, which will run concurrently Oct. 16-31, will partner 5,700 U.S. and 1,300 Philippine military personnel for two weeks of training on the island regions of Luzon and Palawan. The exercises are being conducted to facilitate interoperability and increased readiness between the U.S. military and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
Numerous training events will focus on a variety of sea and land-based capabilities. Naval assets of the ARG will provide a sea-based platform for simulated Marine raids, and Sailors of both nations will conduct simulated maritime interdiction operations and visit, board, search and seizure training.
Throughout the two-week exercises, the ARG and MEU will participate in a variety of community service projects, as well as civil-military operations that include medical, dental and engineering civic action projects with the AFP in Luzon and Palawan.
"Talon Vision and Amphibious Landing Exercise not only symbolize the United States' commitment to security assistance in the Republic of Philippines, but also our commitment to the Filipino people," said Capt. Anthony J. Pachuta, commodore, Amphibious Squadron 11 and task group commander of the ARG. "We know that this exercise will pay dividends in creating the operational expertise and operational bonds so that we can work closely with AFP in case disaster strikes, as it did in Southern Leyte earlier this year, and to create more stability within the region."
Amphibious ships involved in the exercise include Essex, which is the flagship, USS Juneau (LPD 10) and USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49). In all, there are about 2,000 Sailors comprising the ARG.
"Having the Philippine Marines and Sailors training with us not only strengthens our interoperability as allies, but also maintains our long-lasting friendship," said Marine Col. John L. Mayer, the MEU commanding officer. "This annual exercise is an outstanding opportunity for the U.S.-Philippine team to train together and enjoy the camaraderie our fellow services have. We look forward to the next 10 days of training together."
Exercise-related training was conducted prior to the opening ceremony, as the MEU conducted a long-range helicopter-borne raid from Essex and a mechanized raid with amphibious assault vehicles (AAV) from Harpers Ferry.
These types of amphibious training will be the focus of PHIBLEX, as Marines of the MEU train side-by-side with their Philippine counterparts. The PHIBLEX will culminate in a combined amphibious landing.
Talon Vision is primarily a ground/air integrated training exercise, but has been modified to test the U.S. Marine Corps Warfighting Lab's advanced warfighting experiment called Sea Viking 2006. Sea Viking culminates two years of experimentation and will examine enhancements to infantry platoons and squads and implications of a Marine air ground task force in distributed operations.
Essex, with embarked Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron (HMM) 262 (Reinforced) from the MEU, will primarily support the exercises in Luzon while Juneau and Harpers Ferry train in the vicinity of Palawan.
"Each time we meet with the Philippine military for training, we develop our relationship with them and the country even further," said Pachuta. "I foresee these exercises fostering even a greater bond and even stronger partnership for the future."
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