MANILA, Philippines – Filipino soldiers and US service members based in Okinawa, Japan will take part in the Philippines Amphibious Landing Exercise next week to better prepare for bilateral operations during a natural disaster or armed conflict.

Humanitarian civic assistance efforts, an amphibious landing exercise and live-fire training featuring artillery are just a few of the many team building opportunities during PHIBLEX 33, all designed to advance cooperation, improve interoperability and assist in strengthening amphibious capabilities, the US embassy said yesterday.

Brig. Gen. John Jansen, 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade commanding general, said the opportunity to train and build mutually beneficial capabilities with the Armed Forces of the Philippines is essential for sharpening bilateral amphibious and humanitarian assistance capabilities, both hallmarks of the US Marine Corps.

“Exchanging expertise and cultivating our longstanding security alliance provides a cornerstone for security and stability in the region, and has for decades,” he said.

The humanitarian and civic assistance portion of the exercise, beginning this month and concluding on Oct. 12, includes engineering projects to improve local infrastructure and health engagements to exchange medical best practices and supplement the medical needs of Philippine citizens.

Field training during the exercise includes small arms and artillery live-fire, which will provide the local and US Marine units multiple opportunities to maintain and sharpen their skills while enhancing an already high level of interoperability.

Additional participating US units include Amphibious Squadron 11, the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and the three ships of Bonhomme Richard Amphibious Ready Group (BHR ARG).

The ARG consists of the USS BHR (LHD-6), the USS Green Bay (LPD-20) and the USS Germantown (LSD-48). Philippine units include the 3rd Marine Brigade and the Philippine Navy’s new Strategic Sealift Vessel, the BRP Tarlac.