PUERTO PRINCESA, Philippines — U.S. Marines with the Marine Rotational Force – Darwin (MRF-D) 25.3 Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF) are joining the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) for Exercise Alon 25, a bilateral amphibious training exercise conducted at locations across the islands of Palawan and Luzon, from August 15-29.
During Alon — meaning “wave” in Tagalog — the MRF-D MAGTF will provide a headquarters element, a reinforced rifle company, and an aviation detachment in support of training focused on strengthening maritime security, increasing combined capability, and enhancing interoperability among participating forces.
In total, over 3,600 personnel are participating in Exercise Alon 25 including members of the ADF and AFP, U.S. Marine Corps, and elements of the Royal Canadian Navy.
To kick off training, MRF-D MV-22B Ospreys assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 363 will transport Australian and Philippine special operations forces during military free-fall operations, allowing bilateral operators the opportunity to refine critical parachuting skillsets out the back of a novel airframe.
The MRF-D MAGTF is set to participate in a simulated Combined Joint Forcible Entry Operation (CJFEO) to demonstrate the full range of multinational military operations in realistic training scenarios. MRF-D MV-22B Ospreys will insert U.S. and Philippine ground forces alongside Philippine Black Hawk helicopters to simulate seizing key terrain while Philippine and Australian forces conduct a simultaneous amphibious raid. Both CJFEO events together will demonstrate a unified capability to project force, secure vital terrain and maintain regional stability in the Indo-Pacific.
“The pivot from crisis response to Exercise Alon is a testament of the relationships we’ve built with our regional partners and another chance to prove them in the field,” said Col. Jason Armas, commanding officer of the MRF-D 25.3 MAGTF. “Operating with the ADF and AFP in the Philippines by sea, air, and on the ground sharpens our combined edge and ensures we can respond fast and hit hard when crises emerge in the Indo-Pacific.”
Chief of Joint Operations, Vice Admiral Justin Jones AO CSC, Royal Australian Navy, emphasized the value of relationship building when conducting exercises such as Alon.
“Amidst all the capability and equipment we bring to Exercise Alon 25, the value of this training comes from the people-to-people links and the opportunity to exchange practices when we conduct an exercise of this scale.”
This year’s training will also incorporate subject matter expert exchanges and a multinational live-fire maritime strike exercise, with participating forces integrating command-and-control, aviation, logistics, and fires capabilities.
