PHILIPPINE contingents to military exercises in Australia and in Hawaii are on their way home with the conclusion of the events they participated in.
The Army (PA) on Monday said that Australia’s Exercise Carabaroo 2026 formally concluded on July 29 during closing ceremonies held at the Townsville Field Training Area in Queensland.
Aside from the PA and the Australian Army soldiers, US marines took part in the drills scheduled from July 14 to 29.
‘A combined defensive live-fire drill served as the highlight of the exercise, showcasing the Philippine and Australian armies interoperability in conducting effective firepower and maneuvers amid enemy attacks. Other key training drills that were part of the exercise included close-quarter battle [CQB] drills, K-9 operations, assault operations, and trilateral mortar live-fire drills with the US Marine Corps,’ the PA statement added.
Exercise Carabaroo is an advanced combined arms interoperability of both the PA and Australian Army.
The exercise is also testament to the strong strategic partnership between Philippines and Australia to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific Region, the Army statement added.
Exercise Carabaroo, which is hosted by the Darwin-based 1st Brigade of the Australian Army, bolsters the PA’s capability development and active transition towards external security operations, the statement added.
Rimpac ends
THE Navy (PN) Task Group (NTG) 84 and its Coast Guard (PCG) component is now sailing home after participating in the multi-nation Rim of the Pacific (Rimpac) maritime exercise in Hawaii.
The Navy contingent capped off its fifth and another outstanding participation in the world’s largest
multinational warfare exercise, as Rimpac 2026 exercise officially ended on July 31 at the Ford Island Conference Center (FICC) in Hawaii.
‘The Commander, Combined Task Force, Vice Adm. Jeffrey Jablon, congratulated the contingents from participating nations for a job well done amid the successful conduct of the Rimpac 26 exercise. All heads of the delegation were also given a chance to share their experiences and challenges during the exercise,’ the PN said in a statement.
Selected officers and enlisted personnel of NTG 84 attended the US Navy-hosted dinner reception in conjunction with the closing ceremony of Rimpac 2026 aboard the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71).
A joint booth of the PN and the PCG was set up to showcase Filipino food and products during the activity.
zWith the theme ‘Partners, Integrated, Prepared,’ Rimpac 2026 was participated in by 30 nations, 30 ships, five submarines, 15 national land forces, more than 190 aircraft, and more than 30,000 personnel.
As the world’s largest international maritime exercise, Rimpac provides a unique training opportunity while fostering and sustaining cooperative relationships among participant countries.