25 Jan 24. Philippine Naval Special Operation Command and U.S. Special Operations Task Force 511.2 Conduct Joint Maritime Drills. In a collaborative effort to enhance interagency coordination to strengthen maritime security and maritime domain awareness throughout the Sulu Archipelago, Philippine government agencies and U.S. Special Operations Task Force 511.2 participated in a Joint Maritime Security Training Exercise Nov. 20-24, 2023.
The maritime security-focused exercise facilitated the exchange of tactics, techniques, and procedures among participants from nine organizations, reaffirming the U.S.-Philippine commitment to ensuring the well-being and security of local Filipinos.
“Enhancing our maritime domain defense awareness is actually aligned with the Active Archipelagic Defense Strategy of the Navy,” said Commander Cesar K. Pangan Jr., Armed Forces of the Philippines Wester Mindanao Command. “The Armed forces has really stepped up its territorial defense operations capabilities. That is why I think what we have been doing is really good as far as our enhancement is concerned.”
During the training, an exercise-controlled vessel traversed less-travelled routes across the Archipelago, spanning from Zamboanga to Tawi-Tawi. The vessel’s navigation route allowed participants to observe and monitor the simulated vessel of interest, all while conducting interagency coordination to maintain maritime domain awareness.
Simultaneously, another exercise-controlled vessel in the Basilan Strait facilitated day and night opportunities for simulated Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS) operations. VBSS operations consist of boarding and searching vessels suspected of piracy or other illicit activities at sea. Perpetrators are then detained and escorted to the appropriate external agency for prosecution if necessary.
“This interagency exercise sends a clear signal to our local population, our local government, that they see a Philippine Government that is coordinated, that they have a mission to prevent illegal activities,” said Commander Joel V. Cabigon, Philippine Naval Special Operation Command. “It translates to the mindset of our population let’s work with our government and that is what I like about this training.”
The exercise further highlighted the evolution of the security relationship between the U.S. and the Philippines, emphasizing the shift from a counter-terrorism focus to a stronger emphasis on territorial defense.
“Our relationship with our Philippine partners here is incredible,” said U.S. Marine Raider Special Operations Task Force 511.2 Commander. “It’s been built and forged over years … blood, sweat, and tears through the fight against counter terrorism here in the Southern Philippines and will continue to work together with whatever challenges our partners face.”
The key stakeholders who participated included: Philippine Navy Naval Forces Western Mindanao, Armed Forces of the Philippines Wester Mindanao Command, Maritime Situational Awareness Center-Western Mindanao, Philippine Naval Special Operation Command, Naval Special Operation Unit 1, Naval Special Operation Unit 6, Philippine National Police Special Action Force, Philippine National Police, and U.S. Special Operations Task Force 511.2. (Source: https://www.sofx.com/)
22 Jan 24. US, Japan, and Republic of Korea forge maritime unity in Indo-Pacific exercise. This collaborative effort is aimed to bolster coordination, enhance maritime domain awareness, and address shared security concerns.
Sailing through the strategic waters of the Indo-Pacific, the US Navy’s Carrier Strike Group 1, led by the USS Carl Vinson, joined forces with Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) and the Republic of Korea Navy in a trilateral maritime exercise held on January 16 2024.
During the three-day event, the participating ships, including USS Carl Vinson, USS Princeton, USS Kidd, USS Sterett, JS Hyuga, JS Kongo, ROKS Sejong the Great, and ROKS Wang Geon, engaged in advanced maritime communication operations, air combat drills, staff exchanges, and maritime interdiction operations training.
This collaborative effort is aimed to bolster coordination, enhance maritime domain awareness, and address shared security concerns.
Recently, in 2023, the US carried out separate air exercises with the Japanese and South Korean air forces to build quick response capability to any regional threat, according to GlobalData’s “South Korea Defense Market 2023-2028” report.
In November last year, the USS Carl Vinson, flagship of Carrier Strike Group 1, arrived in Busan, Republic of Korea, for a scheduled port visit, emphasising the US commitment to its alliance with South Korea.
Rear Adm. Carlos Sardiello, CSG-1 commander, emphasised the significance of training together: “Sailing and flying together safely alongside our allies demonstrates our commitment to improving information sharing and working together effectively.” The exercise showcased the maritime forces’ combined capabilities and reaffirmed their commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific.
According to GlobalData’s intelligence on the US defence market, the DoD is looking to support its allies in the region, creating a robust pro-US presence in the Indo-Pacific region and ensuring that its interests are protected against China’s growing influence.
This trilateral maritime exercise is part of the US military’s ongoing efforts to strengthen alliances and partnerships. Focusing on combined readiness and capabilities, such exercises contribute to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific region. The collaboration holds particular significance in 2024, marking the 71st anniversary of the US-Republic of Korea Mutual Defense Treaty and over 70 years of partnership with Japan since the 1951 Security Treaty.
In previous exercises, the Carrier Strike Group 1, deployed to the US 7th Fleet area of operations, has actively engaged with allied forces, including the Royal Australian Navy, Royal Canadian Navy, and JMSDF.
As the US Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, the 7th Fleet preserves a free and open Indo-Pacific, routinely interacting with allies and partners in the region. (Source: naval-technology.com)
22 Jan 24. InVeris Training Solutions Announces the Launch of Next Generation Virtual Reality Training System. InVeris Training Solutions, the leading provider of technology-driven training solutions for defense forces, law enforcement agencies and commercial shooting range owners around the globe, today announced the relaunch of its world-famous fats® product line with fats® VR(Virtual Reality). In 2024, the fats® platform will celebrate 40 years in the virtual training industry where they are known as the pioneer and innovator in small arms training. fats® VR is an advanced training solution that deploys virtual reality technology for critical, real-world preparation for de-escalation for frontline enforcement personnel.
“With the launch of our next generation of fats® VR, InVeris brings the 40-year legacy of the fats®
platform to a 360° virtual training environment,” said InVeris chief executive officer Clyde Tuggle. “We continue to build innovative weapons’ training systems, that make the world a safer place. Our goal is to provide military personnel and law enforcement officers the tools they need to make good, safe decisions.”
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