US Marines Pacific seeks more littoral exercises with PH forces

From the Philippine News Agency (Apr 8, 2022): US Marines Pacific seeks more littoral exercises with PH forces (By Priam Nepomuceno)

STRONGER TIES. US MARFORPAC deputy commander, Brig. Gen. Joseph Clearfield (left) meets with Philippine Navy chief, Vice Adm. Adeluis Bordado (right) in a courtesy call at the Philippine Navy headquarters in Manila on Thursday (April 7, 2022). Clearfield said they want to hold more exercises with the Armed Forces of the Philippines aimed at enhancing the capabilities of both militaries in littoral combat operations. (Photo courtesy of Philippine Navy)

The US Marine Corps Forces Pacific (MARFORPAC) has expressed its interest to conduct exercises with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) aimed at enhancing the capabilities of both militaries in littoral combat operations.

US MARFORPAC deputy commander, Brig. Gen. Joseph Clearfield conveyed this to Philippine Navy chief, Vice Adm. Adeluis Bordado in a courtesy call at the PN headquarters on Thursday.

"Joined by his select staff from MARFORPAC, Brig. Gen. Clearfield expressed their interest in working with the Armed Forces of the Philippines on future exercises focused on enhancing capabilities for littoral combat operations," PN spokesperson Commander Benjo Negranza said in a statement Thursday night.

Littoral operations are defined as "operations in and around the littoral zone, within a certain distance of shore, including surveillance, mine-clearing and support for landing operations and other types of combat shifting from water to ground, and back."

A littoral zone refers to nearshore or part of a sea, lake, or river that is close to shore.

"The US Marine Corps’ 3rd Marine Infantry Regiment’s transition into what is now the 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment was also discussed, where Vice Admiral Bordado supported the corps’ goal of maintaining a mutually supportive role as they move forward with deploying small maneuvering units to the South Pacific region as part of the Commandant of the Marine Corps, General David Berger’s Force Design 2030 initiative," Negranza added.

Born in Bethesda, Maryland and a graduate of Harvard Business School’s Advanced Management Program, Clearfield served as the platoon officer and executive officer of the US Marine’s Company F, 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marines during Operation Uphold/Restore Democracy in Haiti and Operation Assured Response in Liberia attached to the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable).

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1171744