U.S. Marines and Philippine Marines to Conduct Bilateral Training During ACD 25.3 in Palawan
In a continued show of strong defense cooperation, U.S. Marines from Golf Company, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, Marine Rotational Force – Darwin (MRF-D) 25.3, and Philippine Marines from the 3rd Marine Brigade will join forces in Palawan, Philippines, for Archipelagic Coastal Defense (ACD) 25.3 from June 23 to July 15, 2025.
ACD 25.3: Enhancing Interoperability and Coastal Defense
The primary objective of ACD 25.3 is to enhance interoperability and improve coastal defense capabilities between the U.S. and Philippine forces in archipelagic environments. The training will involve a range of exercises designed to sharpen combat skills, improve tactical knowledge, and strengthen the overall readiness of the forces.
Key activities will include live-fire marksmanship, patrolling operations, jungle survival skills, and subject matter expert exchanges on small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS). The exercise will conclude with a major event: a coordinated airfield seizure at Roxas Airfield, Palawan, which will demonstrate the interchangeability of forces.
Building on Strong Bilateral Defense Cooperation
Brig. Gen. Antonio G. Mangoroban, commander of the 3rd Marine Brigade, highlighted the importance of the exercise for both nations. “The training we conduct during ACD 25.3 directly contributes to our operational readiness and strengthens our coastal defense strategy. These exercises foster critical skills and enhance our ability to jointly respond to any security challenge,” he said.
ACD 25.3 is a critical element of the ongoing bilateral exchanges aimed at bolstering the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Archipelagic Coastal Defense Concept. The training supports the AFP’s modernization efforts and emphasizes the importance of sharing expertise to advance regional security and maritime stability.
Participating Forces and Key Exercises
The Philippine Marines will contribute several units to the exercise, including the Marine Battalion Landing Teams, Force Reconnaissance Group, Coastal Defense Regiment, Explosive Ordnance Disposal teams, combat engineer units, and health service support personnel. These specialized forces will work alongside the U.S. Marines to improve coordination and response times in various operational environments.
“We look forward to the opportunity to share tactics and build interoperability with our Philippine counterparts,” said Capt. Mark Chase, company commander of Golf Company, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, MRF-D 25.3. “This partnership enables both our forces to effectively train, adapt, and respond together in the unique operational environment presented by the Philippine archipelago.”
Strengthening Regional Security and Stability
ACD 25.3 underscores the enduring commitment of both the United States and the Philippines to maintaining peace, security, and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. This exercise highlights the robust bilateral defense cooperation between the two nations, which continues to grow and evolve, strengthening the bonds that promote security in the region.
