Australian Army trains in air assault with Philippino and US Marines.

More than 600 soldiers from the Australian Defence Force (ADF), Philippines and U.S. conducted an air assault near Rizal, the Philippines, during Exercise Alon as part of Indo-Pacific Endeavour. Using a combination of air, sea, and land actions, with support from the U.S. Marine Corps, the exercise began on August 20 with the insertion of ground combat elements via MV-22B Osprey from Marine Rotational Force - Darwin, launched from HMAS Canberra.
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Australian Lance Corporal Ryan Roberts takes aim during a bilateral air assault exercise with the Armed Forces of the Philippines in Exercise Alon (Picture source: ADF/ Lance Corporal Riley Blennerhassett)

Close air support was provided by RAAF E-7A Wedgetail and F-35A Lightning II aircraft. A helicopter assault force then established a link with the 3rd Philippine Marine Brigade to secure the Punta Baja Airfield, and set up a forward arming and refuelling point.

On August 21, a joint raid was conducted at Tarumpitao Airfield by the combined forces, also with close air support. Lieutenant Colonel Noel A Gallaza, commander of the Philippines landing force, said the exercise demonstrated the defence forces’ collective strength to face any challenge.

The event marked the first major training serial of the bilateral cooperation between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the ADF as part of Indo-Pacific Endeavour 2023. Commander landing force of the Australian Amphibious Force Colonel Douglas Pashley said the activity was a tremendous success.

Australian Army soldier Corporal Brandon Camilleri, right, delivers quick orders during a bilateral air assault exercise with the Armed Forces of the Philippines on Exercise Alon in the Philippines (Picture source: ADF/ Lance Corporal Riley Blennerhassett)

A Philippino marine secures the airfield for U.S. Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft (Picture source: ADF/ Lance Corporal Riley Blennerhassett)

Defense News August 2023