Philippines, US conclude Marine Air Support Activity 2025
(LEFT TO RIGHT) Philippine Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Lhardnernomer Sales, the communications noncommissioned officer in charge of 4th Marine Brigade, and U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Donya Grady, a satellite transmissions operator assigned to Marine Rotational Force-Southeast Asia, I Marine Expeditionary Unit, set up a Viasat Multi-Mission Terminal during a staff exercise at Marine Base Camp Cape Bojeador, Philippines, 7 October 2025. The MMT provides secure, high-bandwidth satellite communications for real-time data in austere environments.
Photo from the Philippine Marines Corps
The bilateral Marine Air Support Activity 2025 (MASA 25) between the Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) and the United States Marine Corps (USMC) formally concluded on 24 October 2025 after two weeks of intensive joint training focused on enhancing interoperability and air-to-ground coordination.
Conducted across multiple locations, including Ilocos Norte, Tarlac, Pampanga, Cavite, Palawan, and Taguig City, this year’s MASA featured exercises such as coastal defense and maritime strike operations, military free fall training, helicopter underwater emergency training (HUET), and subject matter expert exchanges (SMEEs).
A total of 524 Philippine Marines and 130 US Marines participated, joined by Marine reservists and personnel from the Naval Air Wing, Philippine Air Force, and Philippine Coast Guard.
Colonel Robb McDonald, Commander of the USMC Marine Rotational Force–Southeast Asia, praised the professionalism and cooperation displayed by both forces during the exercise.
“This iteration of MASA has been marked by partnership, friendship, and progress,” McDonald said during the closing ceremony at Fort Bonifacio. “The level of proficiency and interoperability we achieved has been exemplary, and each of you should be proud of what you’ve accomplished.”
McDonald noted that the joint drills tested both forces’ ability to coordinate operations across multiple sites while integrating new technologies to enhance combat awareness and communications. He highlighted the use of Tactical Awareness Kits (TAK), which allowed Marines to securely share digital information across networks and radios in real time.
He also cited a training component in Palawan featuring the Valkyrie Fresh Whole Blood Transfusion Program, a battlefield medical capability that enables troops to donate fresh blood to wounded comrades in combat situations.
“We’ve increased our interoperability, which allows us to fight and win together. Trainings like this allow our combined forces to operate farther and be more resilient in combat,” McDonald said.
The US Marine commander underscored the importance of the long-standing Philippines-US defense alliance, noting that 2026 will mark 80 years of diplomatic relations and 75 years since the signing of the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT).
“Our alliance and cooperation in exercises like MASA serve as a powerful deterrent and ensure peace, stability, and the rule of law,” McDonald said.