U.S., Australia, and Philippines launch Exercise Alon 25 in Palawan and Luzon

U.S. Marines with the Marine Rotational Force – Darwin (MRF-D) 25.3 Marine Air-Ground Task Force are joining the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) for Exercise Alon 25, held across Palawan and Luzon from August 15 to 29.

The word “Alon,” meaning “wave” in Tagalog, reflects the exercise’s focus on combined amphibious training. The MRF-D MAGTF is providing a headquarters element, a reinforced rifle company, and an aviation detachment. The training aims to improve maritime security, strengthen combined capability, and enhance interoperability among the forces.

More than 3,600 personnel are involved, including members of the Royal Canadian Navy, highlighting the multinational nature of the exercise.

Amphibious and joint operations in the Indo-Pacific

To open the training, MV-22B Ospreys from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 363 transported Australian and Philippine special operations units for free-fall parachuting drills, refining airborne capabilities using the versatile aircraft.

One of the exercise’s highlights is a Combined Joint Forcible Entry Operation (CJFEO). In this scenario, U.S. and Philippine ground forces will be inserted by MV-22B Ospreys and Philippine Black Hawk helicopters to simulate seizing key terrain. At the same time, Philippine and Australian forces will conduct an amphibious raid, demonstrating a unified ability to project force and secure vital areas in the Indo-Pacific.

“This pivot from crisis response to Exercise Alon is a testament of the relationships we’ve built with our regional partners,” said Col. Jason Armas, commanding officer of the MRF-D 25.3 MAGTF. “Operating with the ADF and AFP by sea, air, and ground sharpens our combined edge and ensures we can respond fast and hit hard when crises emerge in the Indo-Pacific.”

Vice Admiral Justin Jones, Chief of Joint Operations for the Royal Australian Navy, stressed the importance of relationship-building. “Amidst all the capability and equipment we bring to Exercise Alon 25, the value of this training comes from the people-to-people links and the opportunity to exchange practices when we conduct an exercise of this scale.”

Exercise Alon 25 also features subject matter expert exchanges and a multinational live-fire maritime strike drill, integrating command-and-control, aviation, logistics, and fires to build collective readiness.