LIMANG magkaka-alyadong bansa sa pangunguna ng United States Marine Rotational Force-Southeast Asia at Philippine Marine Corps ang nasa forefront ng gaganaping KAMANDAG 7.
Kabilang sa mga bansang sasali sa taunang “Kaagapay Ng Mga Mandirigma Ng Dagat (KAMANDAG)” o “Cooperation of the Warriors of the Sea,” ang United States, Philippines, Japan at Republic of Korea, habang magsisilbing mga observers naman ang mga kinatawan ng United Kingdom.
Layunin ng ika-pitong war exercise o KAMANDAG 7 iteration na mas higit na malinang ang multinational military readiness, partnership at mutual capabilities mga magkakamping mandirigma sa karagatan.
Ang KAMANDAG ay taunang pagsasanay na pinangungunahan ng Philippine Marine Corps at U.S Marine Corps na nagsimula pa noong 2016, na ang mithiin ay ipakita ang ‘long-standing commitment’ ng mga magkaka-alyadong bansa sa defense cooperation at regional security.
“When you talk about dedication to shared regional security, stability, and a Free and Open Indo-Pacific, KAMANDAG is just that. This seventh iteration is historic for many reasons,” pahayag ni Col. Siverts, commanding officer ng MRF-SEA.
“One reason is our continued strengthening Alliance reflected in the sheer scope of this year’s exercise. Secondly, MRF-SEA only participated in this exercise last year, and now we are privileged to be leading all U.S. Marine forces in this year’s exercise. Most importantly, we’re able to capitalize on relationships established a year ago. We’re leading and improving interoperability alongside the very same Philippine Marine Corps counterparts,” pahayag pa ng US Marine Corps na ibinahagi ng U.S Embassy,
Nabatid na opisyal na pasisimulan ang sabayang pagsasanay sa darating na Nobyembre 9, na tatagal ng halos dalawang linggo at gaganapin sa iba’t- ibang training sites sa Luzon, Batanes, Zamboanga, Tawi-Tawi at Palawan.
Itinatayang nasa 950 members ng Armed Forces of the Philippines at 850 U.S. Marines mula I and III Marine Expeditionary Forces ang magsasagawa ng pagsasanay kasama ang Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force at Republic of Korea Marines, habang magpapadala rin ng mga kinatawan ang United Kingdom Armed Forces para magsilbing KAMANDAG 7 observers.
“I am confident that KAMANDAG will not only strengthen our operational capabilities but will also foster a sense of trust and mutual understanding among our forces,” pahayag naman Brig. Gen. Jimmy D. Larida, Director, Exercise Directorate Headquarters, KAMANDAG 7, PMC.
Nakapaloob sa pagsasanay ang pagsasagawa ng humanitarian aid and disaster relief training kabilang na ang chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear training operations, littoral search and rescue, coastal defense training at amphibious operations; conduct medical subject matter expert exchanges at staff integration events ng mga opisyales sa eastern at northern coasts ng Pilipinas.
