Service members from the United States, Philippines, Japan, Korea, and the United Kingdom will kick off Exercise KAMANDAG 9 on May 26, 2025, training across the Philippines to enhance multinational military readiness, interoperability, and regional defense capabilities.
Photo: MRF-D
The U.S. Marine Corps’ participation is led by the Marine Rotational Force – Darwin (MRF-D) 25.3 Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF), forward-postured from Darwin, Australia. KAMANDAG—short for Kaagapay ng mga Mandirigma ng Dagat, or “Cooperation of the Warriors of the Sea”—is an annual bilateral exercise led by the Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) and U.S. Marine Corps. Held every year since 2016, the exercise reflects both nations’ enduring commitment to regional security through strengthened allied and partner capabilities.
“KAMANDAG 9 is a clear demonstration of the strength of the U.S.-Philippine alliance and our ironclad commitment to regional security and combined readiness,” said Col. Jason C. Armas, commanding officer of the MRF-D 25.3 MAGTF. “Training shoulder to shoulder with our Philippine Marine Corps partners isn’t just about building interoperability—it’s about forging trust in the crucible of shared hardship and preparing together to respond with speed and precision to any crisis, anywhere, anytime.”
Photo: MRF-D
The exercise will take place May 26 to June 6 across the Philippine archipelago, including Luzon, Batanes, Tawi-Tawi, and Palawan, with the opening and closing ceremonies held at Marine Barracks Rudiardo Brown in Manila.
KAMANDAG 9 will bring together members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, I and III Marine Expeditionary Forces—including the 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment and 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing—alongside personnel from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, Republic of Korea Marine Corps, and United Kingdom Armed Forces. The expanded scope and participation this year highlight the global importance of maritime security, the value of building multinational maritime domain awareness, and a shared commitment to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific.
Photo: MRF-D
“This year’s KAMANDAG is a testament to the enduring partnership between the Philippine Marine Corps and the United States Marine Corps,” said Maj. Gen. Arturo G. Rojas, commandant of the Philippine Marine Corps. “By operating jointly in complex environments, we are strengthening our capability to defend the archipelago and contributing to a secure and stable Indo-Pacific.”
Training events will include maritime key terrain security operations, defensive counter-landing live-fire drills, littoral maneuver, amphibious operations, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief training. Subject matter expert exchanges will focus on logistics, engineering, special operations, unmanned aerial reconnaissance, marksmanship, air defense, medical readiness, chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear training, and more.
