Australian warship due in PH for ‘Alon’ exercises
One of Australia’s largest warships is headed to the Philippines to take part in joint military exercises between the two countries that will include first time amphibious drills, against the backdrop of fresh tensions in the West Philippine Sea.
An opening ceremony for the Exercise “Alon” (Waves) was held on Monday at the flight deck of Royal Australian Navy’s landing helicopter dock HMAS Canberra (L02) in Darwin, Australia, said Armed Forces of the Philippines public affairs chief Lt. Col. Enrico Gil Ileto. The warship is expected to dock in Palawan on Aug. 20.
The drills will run up to Aug. 31 and will involve some 2,000 personnel—700 from the AFP, 1,200 from the Australian Defense Forces and 150 from the United States Marine Corps.
Alon will be the first bilateral amphibious exercise with Australia, the only other country that has a visiting forces agreement with the Philippines aside from the United States.
“The term ‘waves’ signifies the characteristics of amphibious warfare and emphasizes the projection of ground and air power onto a hostile or potentially hostile shore,” Ileto said.
The drills are part of Indo-Pacific Endeavor, Australia’s flagship international engagement activity in the Southeast Asian and Indian Ocean regions, which aims to enhance security, stability and stronger partnerships.
Alon seeks to strengthen interoperability and be able to share tactics, techniques and procedures and best practices in the conduct of amphibious operations.
Luzon sites
Around 100 AFP personnel were embarked on HMAS Canberra prior to its departure from Darwin. In the coming days, Filipino and Australian troops, along with a small batch of US Marines as support, will be training at various locations in Luzon.
The major exercises will be held in provinces facing the West Philippine Sea. The highlights will include a simulated, combined air assault using US Marines MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft in Palawan, a combined amphibious demonstration at Zambales and artillery and aviation live-fire exercises at Crow Valley, Tarlac.
The exercises take place more than a week after the China Coast Guard blocked and used water cannons on Filipino vessels on a resupply mission in the West Philippine Sea, prompting a strong condemnation and protest from the Philippines. (See related story on this page.) INQ
