The first part of the PH-US Marine Aviation Support Activity 2022 (MASA 22), which was held from June 6-16, 2022 in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte and Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, was successfully concluded.
The first part focused on capacity enhancement training in developing the capabilities of the Philippine Marine Corps with the Philippine Navy and Air Force assets as part of the national maneuver amphibious force. Both the PH and US forces demonstrated their aviation assets as they conducted trainings on Combined and Joint Forward Arming and Refueling, High Mobility Artillery Rocket System Rapid Infiltration, and Unmanned Aviation Systems.
Col. Gregorio B. Hernandez Jr PN(M)(GSC), the Assistant Director, Exercise Directorate Headquarters of MASA 2022, acknowledged that the success of the activity would not have been possible without the all-out support of the Northern Luzon and Western Commands, as well as the various stakeholders from the provinces of Ilocos Norte and Palawan.
The second part of MASA 2022 will be on July 18 to 22, 2022 in Naval Station Leovigildo Gantioqui, Zambales; Camp Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija; and Headquarters PMC, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City. It is designed to develop tactical operations capabilities that will include Heliborne Operations, Airborne Operations, and Aeromedical Evacuations.
BGen. Raul Jesus L. Caldez PN(M), Deputy Commandant and MASA 22 Exercise Director, looks forward to the continuation of the activity. He expressed, “We are hoping to continue the conduct of similar training in the future to achieve our vision of having a fully mission-capable Marines integrated into the naval and joint forces.” — AFP
