Bagong Calarian, Zamboanga City — The Naval Forces Western Mindanao (NFWM) wrapped up their week-long Mobilization Exercise 2024 with a closing ceremony held at the Western Mindanao Command Gymnasium, Camp Navarro, Zamboanga City.
For the past 20 days, the Command’s Training Team has been hard at work, running through different stages of the mobilization exercise. This included a series of lectures, hands-on trainings, and practical drills designed for both sailor reservists, who trained for at-sea missions, and marine reservists, who practiced amphibious operations.
A total of 25 training sessions, known as “serials,” were completed from the pre-mobilization phase to the actual mobilization. Although some activities were adjusted due to weather conditions, the exercises were still carried out as planned. These covered a wide range of practical training activities similar to real-life situations.
During MOBEX 2024, reservists took part in various important training sessions, including Basic First Aid/Life Support, Maritime Interdiction Operations, Visit Board Search and Seizure, Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR), Water Search and Rescue (WASAR) operations, and Marksmanship training. Navy reservists from the Naval Reserve Center-Western Mindanao and Naval Forces Reserve-Western Mindanao worked closely with the regular Navy team to complete these tasks.
One highlight of the exercise was the involvement of reservists in Civil-Military Operations (CMO). They helped carry out a CMO mission from the sea, benefiting over a thousand residents on Laminusa Island, Siasi, Sulu, showcasing the Navy’s dedication to building trust and supporting local communities.
The exercise concluded with a ceremony led by Rear Admiral Francisco G. Tagamolila Jr., Commander of NFWM, along with Col. Jonathan C. Gabor, Deputy Commander for Marine Operations, and Capt. Hilarion D. Cesista, Deputy Commander for Fleet Operations.
In his speech, Rear Admiral Tagamolila said, “Our military’s strength doesn’t just come from our weapons or technology but from the dedication and spirit of those who serve. Our reservists bring a unique and powerful blend of civilian skills and military discipline.”
After MOBEX 2024 ended, a debrief and review were conducted to assess the effectiveness of the training and identify areas for improvement. Later that evening, a “Reservist Night” was held where the Navy Reservists celebrated the successful completion of the exercise alongside the Command.
