United States 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF) and Marine Forces Japan head Lt. Gen. James Bierman (left) and Naval Inspector General, Maj. Gen. Jonas Lumawag (right) (Photo courtesy of Philippine Navy)
MANILA – Ranking Filipino and American Marines officials have vowed to address critical issues in terms of interoperability between the two services.
This came as United States 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF) and Marine Forces Japan head Lt. Gen. James Bierman paid a courtesy visit at the Philippine Navy (PN) headquarters at Naval Station Jose Andrada, Roxas Boulevard, Manila on Wednesday.
Bierman was received by the Naval Inspector General, Maj. Gen. Jonas Lumawag, who represented acting PN flag-officer-in-command Rear Adm. Caesar Bernard Valencia.
"The two Marine generals had a forward-looking discussion on the future of exercises between the Fleet and Marine forces of the two allied nations," PN spokesperson Commander Benjo Negranza said Wednesday night.
"In the end, the two leaders vowed to address and overcome tough challenges in terms of interoperability as both forces continue to work together toward peace and stability in the region," he added.
During the meeting, Bierman urged his Filipino counterpart to determine important areas that need to be included in the conduct of future training and exercises as the US is “working very hard on more naval interoperability between the Navy and the Marine Corps.”
Meanwhile, Lumawag identified trainings related to cyberspace and territorial defense operations as critical capabilities that need to be focused on and developed, including having more exercises “up north and down south” of the country. (PNA)
