US Marines Forces and Philippines Armed Forces Joint Amphibious Assault and Close Quarters Battle

US Marines Forces and Philippines Armed Forces Joint Amphibious Assault and Close Quarters Battle

U.S. Marines with Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, alongside the Armed Forces of the Philippines service members, participate in an amphibious assault, Close Quarters Battle Training and a community relation event as part of Marine Exercise 2024 near Cotabato City, Mindanao, Philippines

MAREX 2024 is a bilateral exercise between the U.S. Marine Corps and the Philippine Marine Corps designed to further enhance relationships, interoperability and combined arms capabilities in a realistic training environment

This exercise led by the Philippine Marine Corps intended to promote military interoperability and maritime domain awareness capabilities, strengthen relationships and expand military capabilities among participating forces

During this year’s MAREX PHL approximately 40 U.S. Marines and 350 Filipino Marines will train together to enhance coastal defense, combined fires, amphibious assault operations, and small unmanned aerial system combined capabilities. Participants will also conduct cultural exchanges and community relations days to include a visit to the Siddique Elementary School in Barira, Mindanao, and subject matter expert exchanges to further our combined commitment to global security and regional cooperation.

MAREX PHL 24 is one of several I Marine Expeditionary Force exercises hosted in the Philippines in 2024. This year’s exercise will conclude with platoon-level infantry rehearsals to showcase and further the collective combat capabilities and camaraderie between the Philippine and U.S. Marine Corps.