Pacific Marines Stories

U.S. Marines assigned to Combat Logistics Battalion 15, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, detonate an M18 Claymore mine during a live-fire coastal defense as part of exercise KAMANDAG 8 at Apurawan Beach, Palawan Province, Philippines, Oct. 22, 2024. KAMANDAG is an annual Philippine Marine Corps and U.S. Marine Corps-led exercise aimed at enhancing the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ defense and humanitarian capabilities by providing valuable training in combined operations with foreign militaries in the advancement of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific. This year marks the eighth iteration of this exercise and includes participants from the French Armed Forces, Royal Thai Marine Corps, and Indonesian Marine Corps; including continued participation from the Australian Defense Force, British Armed Forces, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, and Republic of Korea Marine Corps. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Amelia Kang) - U.S. Marines assigned to Combat Logistics Battalion 15, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, detonate an M18 Claymore mine during a live-fire coastal defense as part of exercise KAMANDAG 8 at Apurawan Beach, Palawan Province, Philippines, Oct. 22, 2024. KAMANDAG is an annual Philippine Marine Corps and U.S. Marine Corps-led exercise aimed at enhancing the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ defense and humanitarian capabilities by providing valuable training in combined operations with foreign militaries in the advancement of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific. This year marks the eighth iteration of this exercise and includes participants from the French Armed Forces, Royal Thai Marine Corps, and Indonesian Marine Corps; including continued participation from the Australian Defense Force, British Armed Forces, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, and Republic of Korea Marine Corps. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Amelia Kang)

KAMANDAG 8: Philippine 3rd Marine Brigade, 15th MEU Conduct Integrated Live-fire Coastal Defense

Philippine Marines with 3rd Marine Brigade and U.S. Marines with elements of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit established defensive positions at Apurawan Beach to conduct a combined live-fire coastal defense Oct. 22, 2024, during Exercise KAMANDAG 8.

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U.S. Marines assigned to Reconnaissance Company, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, Philippine Marines and special operations forces coast guardsmen, and Republic of Korea special reconnaissance Marines ride combat rubber raiding craft in formation during training as part of exercise KAMANDAG 8 at Marine Base Gregorio Lim, Ternate, Philippines, Oct. 20, 2024. KAMANDAG is an annual Philippine Marine Corps and U.S. Marine Corps-led exercise aimed at enhancing the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ defense and humanitarian capabilities by providing valuable training in combined operations with foreign militaries in the advancement of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific. This year marks the eighth iteration of this exercise and includes participants from the French Armed Forces, Royal Thai Marine Corps, and Indonesian Marine Corps; including continued participation from the Australian Defense Force, British Armed Forces, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, and Republic of Korea Marine Corps. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Joseph Helms) - U.S. Marines assigned to Reconnaissance Company, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, Philippine Marines and special operations forces coast guardsmen, and Republic of Korea special reconnaissance Marines ride combat rubber raiding craft in formation during training as part of exercise KAMANDAG 8 at Marine Base Gregorio Lim, Ternate, Philippines, Oct. 20, 2024. KAMANDAG is an annual Philippine Marine Corps and U.S. Marine Corps-led exercise aimed at enhancing the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ defense and humanitarian capabilities by providing valuable training in combined operations with foreign militaries in the advancement of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific. This year marks the eighth iteration of this exercise and includes participants from the French Armed Forces, Royal Thai Marine Corps, and Indonesian Marine Corps; including continued participation from the Australian Defense Force, British Armed Forces, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, and Republic of Korea Marine Corps. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Joseph Helms)

KAMANDAG 8: Multinational Teams, 15th MEU Recon Train Together in Manila

Marines with Reconnaissance Company, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, partnered with the Philippine Marine Corps’ Force Reconnaissance Group and other multinational recon and special forces units for combined training events at Marine Base Gregorio Lim near Manila, Philippines, Oct. 17-23, 2024, during Exercise KAMANDAG 8.

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U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Will Thomas, a joint terminal attack controller with Marine Rotational Force-Southeast Asia, conducts a flight rehearsal for a humanitarian and disaster relief training event during KAMANDAG 8 at Camp Cape Bojeador, Burgos, Philippines, Oct. 19, 2024. KAMANDAG is an annual Philippine and U.S. Marine Corps-led exercise aimed at enhancing the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ defense and humanitarian capabilities by providing valuable training in combined operations with foreign militaries in the advancement of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific. This year marks the eighth iteration of this exercise and includes participants from the French Armed Forces, Royal Thai Marine Corps, and Indonesian Marine Corps; including continued participation from the Australian Defense Force, British Armed Forces, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, and Republic of Korea Marine Corps. MRF-SEA is a rotational unit derived from elements of I Marine Expeditionary Force executing a U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific operational model that involves training events and exchanges with partner military subject matter experts, promotes security goals with Allied and partner nations, and ensures a persistent I MEF presence west of the International Date Line. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Shaina Jupiter) - U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Will Thomas, a joint terminal attack controller with Marine Rotational Force-Southeast Asia, conducts a flight rehearsal for a humanitarian and disaster relief training event during KAMANDAG 8 at Camp Cape Bojeador, Burgos, Philippines, Oct. 19, 2024. KAMANDAG is an annual Philippine and U.S. Marine Corps-led exercise aimed at enhancing the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ defense and humanitarian capabilities by providing valuable training in combined operations with foreign militaries in the advancement of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific. This year marks the eighth iteration of this exercise and includes participants from the French Armed Forces, Royal Thai Marine Corps, and Indonesian Marine Corps; including continued participation from the Australian Defense Force, British Armed Forces, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, and Republic of Korea Marine Corps. MRF-SEA is a rotational unit derived from elements of I Marine Expeditionary Force executing a U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific operational model that involves training events and exchanges with partner military subject matter experts, promotes security goals with Allied and partner nations, and ensures a persistent I MEF presence west of the International Date Line. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Shaina Jupiter)

KAMANDAG 8 Combined HA/DR Drill Increases Allied Response Capabilities

A peaceful coastal town in Ilocos Norte, Philippines, showcases a blend of natural beauty and rural charm. Stretching along the northernmost coast of Luzon, it is bordered by the blue waters of the western Pacific Ocean. During October, Burgos became the location where the proverbial rubber met the road as three different nations trained together to accomplish one common goal.

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A Philippine Marine with 4th Marine Brigade conducts a humanitarian aid and disaster relief demonstration during KAMANDAG 8 at Camp Cape Bojeador, Burgos, Philippines, Oct. 20, 2024. KAMANDAG is an annual Philippine and U.S. Marine Corps-led exercise aimed at enhancing the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ defense and humanitarian capabilities by providing valuable training in combined operations with foreign militaries in the advancement of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific. This year marks the eighth iteration of this exercise and includes participants from the French Armed Forces, Royal Thai Marine Corps, and Indonesian Marine Corps; including continued participation from the Australian Defense Force, British Armed Forces, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, and Republic of Korea Marine Corps. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Shaina Jupiter) - A Philippine Marine with 4th Marine Brigade conducts a humanitarian aid and disaster relief demonstration during KAMANDAG 8 at Camp Cape Bojeador, Burgos, Philippines, Oct. 20, 2024. KAMANDAG is an annual Philippine and U.S. Marine Corps-led exercise aimed at enhancing the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ defense and humanitarian capabilities by providing valuable training in combined operations with foreign militaries in the advancement of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific. This year marks the eighth iteration of this exercise and includes participants from the French Armed Forces, Royal Thai Marine Corps, and Indonesian Marine Corps; including continued participation from the Australian Defense Force, British Armed Forces, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, and Republic of Korea Marine Corps. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Shaina Jupiter)

Enduring Partnerships: MRF-SEA Concludes KAMANDAG 8 with new experiences, knowledge

In a historic first, six nations converged on Filipino soil in the wake of a super typhoon to train, learn, and strengthen their partnership during KAMANDAG 8, reaffirming the exercise's importance to regional peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific. The two-week exercise, which concluded on Oct. 25, focused on enhancing defense and humanitarian capabilities through combined training events and expert exchanges. Participants engaged in a wide range of training activities, including chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear response; humanitarian assistance and disaster relief; unmanned aerial systems use; small boat operations; logistics; civil-military operations; coastal defense; and command and control processes.

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Philippine Marines with Marine Battalion Landing Teams 8 and 10 teach U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Logan Evans, an infantry rifleman with 3d Littoral Combat Team, Marine Littoral Regiment, 3d Marine Division, how to use winding vines as twine during a jungle shelter class during KAMANDAG 7 at Paredes Air Station, Philippines, Nov. 10, 2023. KAMANDAG is an annual Philippine Marine Corps and U.S. Marine Corps-led exercise aimed at improving multinational readiness, relationships, and mutual capabilities in the advancement of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific. This year marks the seventh iteration of this exercise and includes participants from Japan, the Republic of Korea, and observers from the United Kingdom. Evans is a native of Huntley, Ill. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Jacqueline C. Parsons) - Philippine Marines with Marine Battalion Landing Teams 8 and 10 teach U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Logan Evans, an infantry rifleman with 3d Littoral Combat Team, Marine Littoral Regiment, 3d Marine Division, how to use winding vines as twine during a jungle shelter class during KAMANDAG 7 at Paredes Air Station, Philippines, Nov. 10, 2023. KAMANDAG is an annual Philippine Marine Corps and U.S. Marine Corps-led exercise aimed at improving multinational readiness, relationships, and mutual capabilities in the advancement of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific. This year marks the seventh iteration of this exercise and includes participants from Japan, the Republic of Korea, and observers from the United Kingdom. Evans is a native of Huntley, Ill. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Jacqueline C. Parsons)

3d Marine Littoral Regiment Concludes KAMANDAG 7

Northern Luzon, Philippines- 3d Marine Littoral Regiment demonstrated its readiness and ability to establish a forward presence during exercise KAMANDAG 7. From Nov. 9-17, 3d MLR conducted Stand-in-Force operations alongside the Philippine Marine Corps’ 4th Marine Brigade and Coastal Defense Regiment, the Japan Self-Defense Force, and service members from the United Kingdom in multiple training locations spread across Northern Luzon. KAMANDAG is an annual Philippine Marine Corps and U.S. Marine Corps-led exercise aimed at improving multinational readiness, relationships, and mutual capabilities in the advancement of a Free and Open Indo-Pacific. This year marks the seventh iteration of the exercise and includes participants from Japan, the Republic of Korea, and observers from the United Kingdom.

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