U.S. Marines, Army Deploy Missile Systems to Philippine Chokepoint for KAMANDAG Drills

The U.S. Marine Corps and Army have stationed advanced missile systems on the northern Philippine island of Batanes. This deployment is part of Exercise KAMANDAG, a significant joint military training operation in collaboration with the Philippine Marine Corps, scheduled to take place from May 26 to June 6.

The Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS) of the Marine Corps and the Army’s High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) are currently being deployed in maritime strike rehearsals within the Luzon Strait, a critical chokepoint situated between Luzon and Taiwan.

The NMESIS system, under the operation of the 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment (3rd MLR), is currently being airlifted to Batanes via KC-130J aircraft. The system made its initial appearance in the region during Balikatan 2025, marking a significant advancement in the Marine Corps' rapid deployment capabilities.

Col. John G. Lehane, commanding officer of the 3rd Marine Logistics Regiment, stated, “In just a few months, NMESIS has transitioned from an experimental asset to a fully operational system, equipped to neutralize enemy vessels in contested littoral zones.”

KAMANDAG 9 is set to take place across various regions, including Luzon, Batanes, Tawi-Tawi, and Palawan. The event will feature a range of activities, including amphibious drills, humanitarian aid scenarios, defensive counter-landing operations, and littoral maneuver exercises. The Army's HIMARS, delivered by the Armed Forces of the Philippines, will collaborate with NMESIS to effectively monitor and engage targets across the 250-kilometer-wide Luzon Strait, utilizing precision fires and advanced surveillance sensors.

Col. Jason Armas of Marine Rotational Force-Darwin emphasized the significance of the exercise, stating, “This exercise is about more than readiness — it’s about trust.” Officials have stressed the importance of the alliance with the Philippines, highlighting its critical role in ensuring regional security.

Japanese and South Korean military forces are set to participate in amphibious drills in Palawan, located near the South China Sea. This collaboration underscores a commitment to unified regional defense in response to escalating tensions with China.