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 Friday 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 a range of complex 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.

Col. 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 said 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 allow 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, an innovative battlefield medical capability that enables troops to donate fresh blood to wounded comrades during combat.

“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 also 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.