The Bonhomme Richard Expeditionary Strike Group (BHR ESG), with embarked 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, started training alongside Philippine military counterparts as part of the bilateral Philippine Amphibious Landing Exercise (PHIBLEX) 33, Oct. 4.

PHIBLEX is an annual exercise held between the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to increase interoperability in response to natural disasters and regional crises.

"As combined military partners, we are committed to supporting the security and humanitarian assistance capabilities of the Philippines," said Rear Adm. Marc H. Dalton, commander, ESG 7, who commands the BHR ESG. "We look forward to hosting members of the Philippine navy on ships of the Bonhomme Richard Expeditionary Strike Group. We plan to embed them into the operations on our ships so they can work alongside us, and we can learn together."

Ships of the BHR ESG will launch Marines ashore to train with the AFP. Philippine and U.S. forces will also conduct combined amphibious landings.

In addition to the amphibious operations, Sailors of the BHR ESG and Philippine navy will conduct a series of subject matter expert exchanges to increase interoperability and mutual understanding of techniques and tactics. The subject areas for these exchanges include beach master operations, anti-submarine warfare, beach survey operations, command and control, shipboard operations, and deck landing qualifications.

ESG units include flagship amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6), amphibious transport dock USS Green Bay (LPD 20), amphibious dock landing ship USS Germantown (LSD 42), Amphibious Squadron 11 (PHIBRON 11), Naval Beach Unit 7 (NBU 7), Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 25, and the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit. The 31st MEU consists of Battalion Landing Team (BLT) 2/4, Combat Logistics Battalion (CLB) 31, and Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 262 Reinforced.

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For more news from Commander, Amphibious Force, U.S. 7th Fleet, visit http://www.navy.mil/.