Philippine, Australian forces conduct Exercise ALON 2025 near Palawan

Filipino and Australian forces conducted a simulated retaking of territory during Exercise ALON (Amphibious Land Operation) 2025 near Long Beach in San Vicente, Palawan on Sunday, August 24.

The exercise involved an amphibious landing by around 1,000 Filipino troops alongside Australian naval and air forces, including two Philippine FA-50 fighter jets providing air support and Australia's HMAS Brisbane warship offering offshore assistance with an embarked MH-60R Seahawk helicopter.

Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and his Australian counterpart Richard Marles witnessed the drill, praising the coordination between Philippine and Australian forces for its smooth execution and advanced planning.

The exercise featured coordinated naval gunfire support, amphibious assault, maritime strike missions, airfield seizure scenarios, and cyber resilience training with around 3,600 personnel participating from the AFP, ADF, US Marine Corps, and Royal Canadian Navy.

Exercise ALON 2025 runs until August 29 and involves military observers from Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, and Indonesia monitoring the drills, emphasizing regional security cooperation amid rising tensions.

This year's iteration of Exercise ALON has evolved into a platform for deepening defense cooperation among like-minded nations, with Philippine Marine Corps personnel fully integrating air, maritime, and land domains.