Marine 1st Sgt. Ron Dickenson, right, explains the procedures of a shoulder-fired anti-armor weapon to a Philippine Marine scout during the Talon Vision exercise in central Luzon. (Courtesy USMC)
Marine 1st Sgt. Ron Dickenson, right, explains the procedures of a shoulder-fired anti-armor weapon to a Philippine Marine scout during the Talon Vision exercise in central Luzon. (Courtesy USMC)
A Philippine Army scout team rides in the rear of a U.S. Light Armored Vehicle during a live-fire exercise during the Talon Vision exercise in central Luzon. (Courtesy USMC)
It’s all work and little play for Okinawa Marines in the Philippines for the two-week Talon Vision exercise.
Some 900 Marines from the 3rd Marine Division and 1st Marine Air Wing are taking part in the annual joint training with Philippine troops in central Luzon that began Monday.
Even though the area is famed as a liberty hot spot stemming from the days the United States had bases at Subic Bay and Clark Field, there will be little chance for the troops to see if things have changed.
Partly because the Philippines remains on the U.S. Defense Department’s list of countries with high terrorist threats, there will be no off-base liberty for U.S. troops, said spokesman Capt. Burrell Parmer. Training “is our focus,” and force protection “our number one priority,” he added.
The training in jungle survival, reconnaissance, light armor operations and night-vision operations continues through Nov. 17.
Marines are also involved in civil projects such as building schools and providing medical and dental services for rural communities.
Local doctors, Philippine servicemen and U.S. Marines and sailors supporting Talon Vision will provide no-cost medical and dental care to approximately 1,000 patients.
