MANILA — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the United States military on Friday conducted a joint simulation exercise at Clark Air Base to demonstrate humanitarian airlift operations for flood-affected communities.

AFP Chief of Staff General Romeo S. Brawner Jr., Secretary of National Defense Gilberto C. Teodoro Jr., and U.S. Ambassador MaryKay Carlson observed the activity, which involved the loading and transport of family food packs (FFPs) from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) using a U.S. MV-22 Osprey aircraft.

The event highlighted the importance of interoperability and rapid response capabilities in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) operations. It also featured a guided cabin tour of the Osprey, underscoring its ability to deliver aid with speed and precision to remote areas.

Ambassador Carlson reaffirmed the continued support of the United States Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM), which has partnered with the AFP to transport relief goods to areas impacted by recent monsoons. According to the U.S. envoy, a total of 4,800 food packs have already been delivered, including to far-flung provinces like the Batanes Islands, and prepositioned for further distribution.

Secretary Teodoro emphasized the humanitarian values shared by the Philippines and the United States that guide their bilateral cooperation.

“Our partnership is premised on a fundamental value, the irreplaceable worth we place on every human life. That is very valuable to both of us. We respect each other, we respect human lives, and we are here to preserve that fundamental value,” Teodoro said.

“To our treaty partners, the United States of America, we say thank you. And this will not be the last time. In the spirit of multilateralism, in the spirit of our bilateral people-to-people ties, we hope this partnership will be sustained and enhanced to contribute to the greater good of humankind,” he added.

The simulation served as an opportunity to further explore ways to improve future joint HADR operations and strengthen PH-U.S. defense cooperation in humanitarian missions.