By Allen M. Villa
SUBIC BAY FREEPORT, Oct 10 (PIA) -- The RP-US Amphibious
Landing Exercise (Phiblex) formally started Monday with a simple ceremony at the
flight deck of USS Bonhomme Richard, an amphibious assault ship of the US Navy
anchored at Subic’s Alava Pier.
The ceremony was witnessed by US exercise director Brig.
Gen. Craig Timberlake, RP exercise director Brig. Gen. Remigio Valdez, flag officer-in-charge
Vice Adm. Alexander Pama, Deputy Chief of Mission
Brian Goldbeck of the US Embassy, and Subic Bay
Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman Roberto Garcia.
Philippines and United States military officials said
they were optimistic that the annual bilateral training would enhance the
common goal of regional security and readiness.
Over 2,000 American and Filipino soldiers will be
participating in the exercises, which will be held variously at the Subic Bay
International Airport; Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija; Gregorio Lim Marine
Barracks in Ternate, Cavite; Crow Valley in Tarlac; Apolinario Jalandoon Naval Station
in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan; and the Naval Education Training Center in
San Antonio, Zambales.
The country’s elite Marine Corps, the Navy’s Air Group
and Special Operation Group, the Philippine Army, and the Philippine Air Force will
train hand-in-hand with their American counterparts in the 11-day exercise.
In his message at the opening rites, Gen. Pama noted that
Phiblex 2013 will serve as a venue for exchanging expertise, technology,
tactics and effective procedures to ensure interoperability of the armed forces
from the two nations.
Pama added that Phiblex 2013 is focused on the
interoperability of the two forces in providing humanitarian assistance and
disaster response in times of calamities.
The US Embassy’s Goldbeck, meanwhile, stressed the
importance of the friendship binding the United States and the Philippines,
adding that Phiblex “reinforces our long-time partnership and demonstrates the U.S.
and Philippines’ commitment to mutual security.”
“All aspects of this Phiblex — whether they are field
training, staff exercises, or civic action projects — will enable the men and
women of our armed forces to work together, reinforcing our unity, and improving our ability to work as a team,” Goldbeck added.
Residents of host communities in Zambales and Palawan are
expected to benefit from the scheduled Medical Civic Action Program (Medcap) during
the exercises. Four barangays in Zambales and Palawan will also get assistance
through the Engineering Civic Action Program.(CLJD/AMV-PIA 3)
