Operations Division
The Operations Division consists of an
Army/Air Force Operations Officer, a Navy/Marine Operations
Officer and two Operations Non-Commissioned Officers as
permanent staff. On a rotating basis Civil Affairs, Reserve
Components, and Counter-Terrorism Liaison Officers augment
the Operations Division. Additionally, it is staffed with
a Joint Security Unit that consists of members from the
Armed Forces of the Philippines.
The Operations Division is responsible
for a myriad of activities including:
-Conducting liaison between US military
forces and their Philippine counterparts for all combined
and joint bilateral exercises, conferences, personnel
and subject matter experts exchanges, and visits (with
the exception of US Navy ship visits). As part of exercise
coordination, Operations is responsible for adjudicating
expenditures and reimbursement of funds during joint and
combined exercises. Attends initial, middle, and final
planning conferences to facilitate planning and provide
continuity.
-Executing the country clearance program
for all Department of Defense personnel visiting the Republic
of the Philippines on both official travel or leave as
outlined in the Foreign Clearance Guide, exclusive of
aircraft clearances. Make recommendations regarding travel
restrictions in coordination with the Country Team based
on local conditions. Operations is the US Embassy point
of contact for all telephonic and walk-in requests for
assistance from the Department of Defense active duty,
dependents, and retirees.
-Serves as the single point contact for
the USC Title 10 Program in the Philippines (with the
exception of IMET). Responsible for the management of
the Philippines USC Title 10 funds including invitations,
nominations, invitational travel orders, advance pay,
tickets, and completion of travel vouchers for conferences
attended by Philippine military forces.
-Member of the US Embassy Country Team
and the Political-Military Team.
-Functions as liaison between, and provides
administrative support to, the US and Philippine Co-Chairmen
of the Philippines-US Mutual Defense Board (RP-US MDB).
Facilitates the MCB committee meetings.
-Coordinates all PACOM VIP visits and handles
protocol issues as they arise.
-Facilitates the Human Rights Clearing
process through the State Department for all exercises
involving Philippine military forces.
-Accepts allocates, and closes out Military
Inter-Departmental Purchase Requests (MIPR) through the
State Department finance system for Department of Defense
activities operating in the Philippines.
-Conducts initial notification of primary
and secondary next of kin for all deceased active duty
service members. Assists assigned casualty assistance
officers as required.
Exercise and Conference dates, locations,
and personnel strength are not publicized for force protection
considerations.
Exercises
-
Balikatan –
(Shoulder to Shoulder) Annual JCS directed, USARPAC/COMMARFORPAC
sponsored combined/joint exercise designed to improve
planning, readiness, and interoperability. PACOM component
units and all the components of the Armed Forces of
the Philippines conduct the exercise.
-
Balance Piston
– SOCPAC sponsored Joint/Combined Exchange Training
(JCET) Exercise specializing in small unit tactics.
The US Army’s 1st Special Forces Group and the
Philippine Army’s Special Operations Command
conduct the exercise.
-
Teak Piston –
SOCPAC sponsored JCET Exercise specializing in various
types of air operations and maintenance. The exercise
is conducted by USAF’s 353rd Special Operations
Group and the Philippine Air Force.
-
Flash Piston –
SOCPAC sponsored JCET Exercise specializing in maritime
operations and small unit tactics. The exercise is
conducted by the US Navy Special Warfare Unit 1 and
the Philippine Navy Special Warfare Group (SWAG).
-
Vector Balance Piston
– SOCPAC sponsored JCET Exercise specializing
in Close Quarter Battle and marksmanship skills. This
exercise is conducted by the US Army’s 1st Special
Forces Group and the Philippine Army Special Operations
Command.
-
Carat –
(Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training) Annual
7th Fleet sponsored exercise headed by COMLOGWESTPAC.
The exercise focuses on underway naval combat training,
amphibious operations, and air surveillance. The exercise
is conducted by 7th Fleet assets and the Philippine
Navy.
-
MARSURVEX –
(Maritime Surveillance Exercise) Quarterly 7th Fleet
sponsored USN-PN exercise involving US Navy P3 Orion
aircraft. The exercise is designed to improve Over
the Horizon Targeting (OTHT) and maritime operations
with air and surface assets.
-
PALAH –
(Pang Lupa Alon Himpapawid =Sea Land and Air) Semi-Annual
7th Fleet sponsored bilateral exercise focusing on
small units tactics, marksmanship and over the beach
(OTB) training. This exercise is conducted by US Navy
SEALS and Philippine SWAG.
-
MTWS – (Marine
Tactical Warfare Simulation) Annual III Marine Expeditionary
Force sponsored exercise emphasizing desktop computer
decision making and wargaming.
-
SAGIP –
CINCPAC J08 sponsored annual multi-lateral gaming
seminar dealing with Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster
Response.
-
HANDA –
Annual seminar focusing on US-RP crisis action planning
for coordinated and combined operations. CINCPAC J08
has the lead.
Conferences
-
Mutual Defense Board (MDB)
– RP and US J5 sponsored, meeting quarterly
alternately in Honolulu and Manila. Provide inter-governmental
machinery for direct liaison on military matters of
mutual concern so as to develop and improve the common
defense under the Mutual Defense Treaty of 1958.
-
Chief of Defense Conference
(CHOD) – Sponsored by CINCPAC annual
in Honolulu. Meeting of Asian Chief of Defense.
-
Military Law and Operations
Conference (MILOPS) – Sponsored by
PACOM JAG (J06) annually in various countries. Discusses
legal topics of interest.
-
Pacific Area Senior Logistician
Seminar (PASOLS) – Sponsored by PACOM
J4 annually in various countries. Smaller meetings
are held quarterly. Discusses logistical topics of
interest.
-
Multinational Planning
Augmentation Team (MPAT) – Sponsored
by PACOM J3 quarterly in various countries. Training
a cadre to rapidly augment a multinational headquarters
and plan and execute a coalition response to small-scale
contingencies.
-
Asia-Pacific Center for
Security Studies (APCSS) – Conducts
three executive courses each year. This is a research,
conference, and study center in Honolulu with a non-warfighting
mission to enhance cooperation and build relationships
through mutual understanding and study of comprehensive
security issues among military and civilian representatives.
-
Pacific Senior Communications
Meeting (PSCM) – PACOM sponsored annually.
Mid-level military communicators focus on computer,
spectrum management, and frequency issues.
-
Pacific Area Special Operations
Conference (PASOC) – Sponsored by SOCPAC
annually Special Operations commanders and senior
officers discuss special operations issues.
-
Helicopter Operations at
Sea other Than Aircraft Carriers (HOSTAC)
– Sponsored by CINCPACFLT annually in various
countries. Meeting of rotary wing pilots.
-
National Guard Partnership
Program – Sponsored by Hawaii and Guam
National Guard. Various meetings and conferences throughout
the year in Honolulu and Manila.
-
Naval Medical Research
Unit 2 (NAMRU2) – Sponsored by unit
Jakarta with quarterly meetings in Manila. Discusses
tropical disease research with RP health authorities.
-
South East Asia Peacekeeping
Operations Symposium – Sponsored by
UN and supported by USARPAC annually in various countries.
Regional initiative to develop sustainable ability
to conduct peace operations, HA, and disaster management.
-
Mine Counter Measure Seminar
– Sponsored by CINCPACFLT annually in the US.
