FORT BONIFACIO, Taguig City- The Philippine-US Marine Aviation Support Activities 2022 (MASA 22) Bilateral Exercise concluded just the other week with a closing ceremony graced by the Acting Flag Officer in Command (FOIC), Rear Admiral Caesar Bernard M. Valencia PN.
The first part of MASA 2022 was held from June 6 to 17, 2022 in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte and Puerto Princesa City, Palawan where Philippine and US Armed Forces conducted joint interoperability activities including coastal defense, forward aiming and refueling, engineering, unmanned aviation system training, and high mobility artillery rocket system training and demonstration.
The second part was held at the Naval Base in Zambales, Subic Bay International Airport, and Marine Headquarters in Taguig City from July 18 to 22, 2022 completing the training on helicopter rope suspension and aeromedical evacuation.
The Special Forces Operation Wing of the Philippine Air Force took part on the activities. The Philippine and US Armed Forces rehearsed, executed, and refined tactics, techniques, and procedures in aviation support for command and Control of the aircraft and troops.
BGen. Raul Jesus L. Caldez PN(M), Acting Commandant, PMC, and the Exercise Training Director of MASA 22, expressed gratitude for the successful conduct of the Exercise as this has increased the interoperability in aviation-released capabilities of the both forces.
BGen. Joseph R. Clearfield USMC, Deputy Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific remarked, “We look forward to MASA 2023 where we will continue to build on decades of cooperation, camaraderie, and shared experience to preserved freedom of navigation in the West Philippine Sea and maintain the free and open Indo-Pacific.”
Rear Admiral Valencia PN, Acting FOIC, thanked the bilateral partner, “To the US Armed Forces, our ally, who are equally responsible to the success of this event. Thank You for your commitment and contribution in the defense of our maritime nation and ensuring stability in the Indo-Pacific region.” (VICTOR BALDEMOR)
