SAN VICENTE, Palawan — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Australian Defence Force (ADF) carried out Combined and Joint Forcible Entry Operations during Exercise ALON 2025 on August 24, showcasing interoperability and maritime security cooperation facing the West Philippine Sea.

Around 1,000 AFP troops participated in the simulated beach landing and objective retake scenario, supported by Marine Battalion Landing Teams 11, 9, and 7, the 61st Force Recon Company with Small Unit Riverine Craft and Patrol Craft from the Marine Corps Assault Boat Battalion, and two FA-50 fighter aircraft for air support.

The ADF deployed a Joint Pre-Landing Force with Combat Rubber Raiding Crafts, guided-missile destroyer HMAS Brisbane (DDG41) with an MH-60R Seahawk helicopter, and a Royal Australian Air Force EA-18G Growler for electronic warfare support. A US Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey also observed the drills.

AFP Chief of Staff General Romeo S. Brawner Jr. lauded the troops for their performance, stressing the integration of different domains in the exercise.

“Today’s Combined and Joint Forcible Entry Operations was very successful. What makes this year’s ALON Exercise different is that we fully integrated the air, maritime, and land domains,” Brawner said.

The AFP said the activity highlighted the military’s move toward multi-domain operations and reinforced the Philippines’ defense partnership with Australia in promoting peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific.