Phiblex '11 Comes to Close
By Gunnery Sgt. J. L. Wright Jr.III Marine Expeditionary Force Public Affairs
FORT BONAFACIO, Philippines - U.S. and Armed Forces of the Philippines personnel celebrated the conclusion of Amphibious Landing Exercise 2011 came to an end during a closing ceremony here, Oct. 22.
The ceremony culminated the nine-day exercise where Marines from 3d Marine Expeditionary Brigade and service members from the Armed Forces of the Philippines trained bilaterally to improve interoperability, increase readiness and continue to build professional relationships between the two countries.
Throughout the exercise, AFP and U.S. personnel conducted different training evolutions including an amphibious raid, boat raid, jungle warfare training and a variety of air training missions.
In addition, exercise participants completed a series of Civil-Military Operations, to include engineering, dental, veterinary and medical civic action projects.
"We were able to log 13 hours and 11 sorties throughout the exercise," said Col. Joven Ronan, exercise director, Philippine Air Force. "We also logged 108-hours of aviation-related classes, treated over an estimated 3,500 patients."
Other civil action projects included community relations projects where U.S. service members and their counterparts provided a variety of items including books, clothes, desks, and toys to children located throughout Luzon.
"The local government officials and citizens were very pleased with all of the community relations projects," said Ronan.
"Phiblex was a complete success," said Brig. Gen. Mark A. Brilakis, commanding general, 3d MEB, adding that the recent strike of Typhoon Juan (international name Megi) caused the Brigade to miss only a few training opportunities. "We did most of the training we wanted to accomplish ... and we did it together."
The keynote speaker, Brig. Gen. Rustico O. Guerrero, the commandant for the Philippine Marine Corps said that he is extremely impressed by the performance of both his Marines and U.S. service members.
"I want to share my warmest appreciation for you all," he said. "I look forward to beautiful meetings and training opportunities in the future."
This article was originally published at: http://www.dvidshub.net/news/58599/phiblex-11-comes-close
(Posted Oct. 22, 2010)