PH, Australia conduct naval drills off Mindoro

MANILA, August 20 ------ Naval units from the Philippines and Australia conducted a series coordinated maritime activities off Lubang Island, Mindoro as part of Exercise "ALON" 2025.

Units from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Australian Defense Force kicked off this year's ALON (Amphibious and Land Operations) in the City of Puerto Princesa, Palawan on Aug. 15. In a statement, the AFP said participating naval assets included the Philippine Navy's BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150) and the ADF's HMAS Brisbane (DD-G41). "The exercise featured a range of operations such as personnel transfer drills, a communications exercise, officer of the watch manning exercise, combined anti-submarine exercise, night steaming in company, and flight quarters drills," the AFP said.

It added that the activities were designed to enhance interoperability, improve operational readiness, and strengthen maritime security cooperation of the AFP and ADF. Over 3,600 military personnel from the AFP and ADF joined Exercise ALON 2025, with additional participation from the Royal Canadian Navy and the United States Marine Corps’ Marine Rotation Force-Darwin.

The training activities across key locations in Palawan and Luzon will last until Aug. 29.

Source: pna.gov.ph