{"id":71393,"date":"2022-10-13T18:28:57","date_gmt":"2022-10-13T18:28:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/uncategorized\/2022\/10\/13\/us-firepower-showcased-in-philippine-joint-combat-drills\/"},"modified":"2026-08-18T20:55:54","modified_gmt":"2026-08-18T20:55:54","slug":"us-firepower-showcased-in-philippine-joint-combat-drills","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/news\/your-navy\/2022\/10\/13\/us-firepower-showcased-in-philippine-joint-combat-drills\/","title":{"rendered":"US firepower showcased in Philippine joint combat drills"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

CAPAS, Philippines \u2014 Truck-mounted launchers blasted off rockets and U.S. stealth fighter jets streaked across the northern Philippine<\/a> sky on Thursday in a combat drill that marked the latest display of American firepower in a region where Washington has tried to deter what it warns as China\u2019s growing aggression.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The live-fire exercises at a gunnery and bombing range in a desolate valley in Capas town north of Manila were the highlight of two weeks of combat readiness maneuvers, which included mock amphibious assaults and joint coastal defense tactics involving more than 2,500 American and Philippine marines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Howitzer artillery shots boomed across the dusty valley hemmed in by a mountain range and hills from U.S. and Philippine marine fire positions, some concealed by camouflage tents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"American
American Marines ride their vehicle across a stream during annual combat drills between the Philippine Marine Corps and U.S. Marine Corps in Capas, Tarlac province, northern Philippines, Thursday, Oct. 13, 2022. (Aaron Favila\/AP)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Called Kamandag \u2014 a Tagalog acronym for \u201cCooperation of the Warriors of the Sea\u201d \u2014 the military maneuvers ending on Friday were being held simultaneously with combat drills between U.S. Marines and Japanese army forces on Japan\u2019s northern island<\/a> of Hokkaido that involve about 3,000 military personnel from the two sides, U.S. military officials said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

U.S. Maj. Gen. Jay Bargeron of the Japan-based 3rd Marine Division has said the exercises were aimed at bolstering the defensive capabilities of the U.S. alliance with the Philippines and Japan, and ensuring that \u201cwe are prepared to rapidly respond to crisis throughout the Indo-Pacific.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis exercise is an important opportunity to bring together U.S. and Philippine capabilities and personnel to strengthen our combined readiness, proficiency and trust,\u201d U.S. Marine Lt. Col. Kurt Stahl told The Associated Press.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

America\u2019s High-Mobility Artillery Rocket System or HIMARS rocket launchers, which have recently helped Ukraine gain momentum in its war with Russia<\/a>, and F-35B supersonic fighter jets were showcased in the military exercises on Wednesday and Thursday.<\/p>\n\n\n\t