Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan

The Marine Corps has a rich tradition of working with allies to improve military cohesion. Marine All Weather Fighter Attack Squadron 242 and Marine Attack Squadron 122, currently with Marine Aircraft Group 12, kept the tradition alive by participating in mutual-defense board and security-engagement board events.

The exercise started in January and is scheduled to continue well into the foreseeable future.

“What we've been doing is growing this incrementally,” said Maj. Anthony Baggs, MAG-12 operations officer. “In February we flew down four aircraft from (VMFA(AW)-242) and we did simulated close-air support with the forward air controllers from the Philippines Air Force out at Crow Valley Range.”

After VMA-122 arrived in Iwakuni for the Unit Deployment Program, they also took advantage of the unique opportunity to train with allies. Exercise Haribon Tempest, the unofficial nickname MAG-12 gave for last month’s MDB/SDB event took place March 6-9, 2013.

The name originates from the Haribon, which is a Philippine Eagle that preys on monkeys. The exercise doubled the previous month’s aircraft by flying down a total of eight F-18s, four from each unit.

“Anytime we can get down there and work bilaterally with the Philippine Air Force, by perhaps teaching them how we execute close air support, it is always going to be a good thing for U.S. security,” said Capt. Marcus Yasumatsu, MAG-12 current operations officer.

Yasumatsu wasn't the only one who saw the security interest in working with Filipino servicemembers.

“The Philippines is a strategic ally,” said Baggs. “They are in close proximity to strategic sea lanes.”

The Philippine Air Force may have been the students in this exercise, but they aren't the only ones who learned from the experience.

Yasumatsu said by doing these exercises with the Philippine Air Force, it allows MAG-12 to fly on a range where they can imply ordnance, which is a very rare opportunity on mainland Japan.

Baggs also said MAG-12 is looking to plan about eight small scale events each year with the Philippine Air Force.

Although the exercise has only consisted of three events this year, it looks to be a strong foundation in improving the alliance and military cohesion between the U.S. and Philippines.