ZAMBALES – The Philippine Marine Corps successfully got the support of local governments in Zambales for the conduct of the Marine Aviation Support Activity (MASA) from 06 to 21 July, 2023.
Col Gregorio B Hernandez Jr PN(M)(GSC), Assistant Director of the Exercise Directorate Headquarters, obtained the nod of the mayors of Botolan, Cabangan, San Antonio, San Felipe, and San Narciso through courtesy calls and coordination meetings on June 26-27, 2023. Col Hernandez thanked them for their support for this military exercise aimed at enhancing the capabilities of the Marine forces.
The MASA will be conducted in various training venues across Luzon. Two bilateral trainings –Helicopter Rope Suspension Training and Maritime Strike will be held in San Antonio. The maritime strike involves the conduct of live fire maneuvers wherein the combined forces will have to sink a decommissioned PN vessel and this will take place approximately 10-12 nautical miles west of the Naval Station Leovigildo Gantioqi Beach on July 13, 2023. While the fisherfolk of the said municipalities will not be allowed to go fishing on this day for safety reasons, the Philippine Marine Corps and the United States Marine Corps, in coordination with the Provincial Government of Zambales and with assistance from the private sector, will have a joint civil-military program with the affected communities in coastal barangays.
A semi-annual activity of the Philippine and US military, MASA 2023 hopes to further improve interoperability, allowing both forces to operate seamlessly and effectively in joint operations. The focus is to align procedures, tactics, and communications to enhance combined capabilities and readiness, leading to a more synchronized response to the evolving security challenges.
