Indo-Pacific Endeavour sails to success in the Philippines

The recent visit to the Philippines, by two ships of the Indo-Pacific Task Group has significantly reinforced the strong defence relationship between Australia and the Philippines.

Led by HMAS Adelaide in company with HMAS Darwin, both ships were welcomed to the Port of Manila by the Philippines Navy for a full day of engagements including the visit by the Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte and Chief of Defence, Air Chief Marshall Mark Binskin.

The Task Group later sailed to Subic Bay for a four-day visit, where both ships received over several hundred visitors eager to view the new capabilities the Australian Defence Force had on offer. 

To demonstrate the capability of the Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) to support regional responses to Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief (HADR) events, the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) conducted a combined HADR training exercise in Subic Bay.

The HADR training activity involved over 80 PMC personnel plus their vehicles that embarked HMAS Adelaide in Subic Bay and were deployed ashore by ADF Landing Craft and PMC Riverine Craft.

Despite demanding weather continues due to the Typhoon Khanun to the east of the Philippines, the combined ADF and PMC HADR response force was able to rapidly deploy ashore.

Commander of Joint Task Group 661.1, Captain Jonathan Earley RAN, said the exercise was an important activity for both countries who share common interests and threats from natural disasters.

“This is the first time the Philippines Defence Forces have had the opportunity to work with the Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD),” Captain Earley said.

“This training and exposure to our respective capabilities is a sound investment for the future, in that should either country be called upon to respond to a natural disaster in our region, we will be able to come together quickly and seamlessly to provide the necessary support to those who need it most.”

In addition to the HADR exercise, Adelaide hosted a visit by participants from the Exercise LUMBAS, which is an annual bi-lateral exercise between the Royal Australian Navy, Philippine Navy and other Philippine Government Agencies to enhance and develop procedures for the conduct of maritime support and maritime interdiction operations throughout the Philippines.