San Vicente, Palawan isn’t just about Long Beach sunsets anymore. On August 24, 2025, its pristine shoreline turned into a stage for something straight out of a military action movie — the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Australian Defence Force (ADF) stormed the beach in a massive amphibious strike, as part of Exercise ALON 2025.
And no, this wasn’t Hollywood. It was real-world military muscle flexing with a mission: interoperability, security, and teamwork on the West Philippine Sea.
Boots, Boats, and Birds in the Sky
Picture this: around 1,000 AFP troops landing on the beach, backed by patrol craft, riverine units, and even two FA-50 fighter jets roaring overhead.
From the ADF side, there were Combat Rubber Raiding Crafts, the formidable HMAS Brisbane with its Seahawk helicopter, plus an EA-18G Growler for electronic warfare support. To spice things up, a US Marine Corps Ospreyhovered in to observe.
It was the kind of drill that made you realize — teamwork doesn’t just happen in boardrooms; sometimes it happens with amphibious assaults and naval gunfire.
Big Names, Big Words
AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. praised the troops for pulling off what he called a “very successful” combined operation.
“What makes this year’s ALON Exercise different is that we fully integrated the air, maritime, and land domains,” Brawner said, sounding every bit like a proud coach after a championship win.
Meanwhile, Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and Australia’s Deputy PM & Defense Minister Richard Marleswere on site, both visibly impressed.
“The coordination was smooth… very, very impressive,” Teodoro noted.
“This is about building interoperability between two countries that share values,” added Marles, highlighting that even allies like the US and Canada were watching closely.
Why It Matters
The CJFEO (Combined Joint Forcible Entry Operation) wasn’t just about storming a beach. It was about showing that the Philippines and Australia — along with like-minded partners — are serious about upholding peace and the rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific.
With 3,600 personnel from the AFP, ADF, US Marine Corps, and the Royal Canadian Navy participating, plus observers from Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, and Indonesia, Exercise ALON is quickly becoming one of the most significant military collaborations in the region.
From “Wave” to Way Forward
Fittingly named after the Filipino word for “wave,” Exercise ALON has been rolling strong since 2023, and this year’s edition packed in not just amphibious drills, but also cyber resilience, civil-military programs, and even interfaith cooperation.
For Palawan, it was a reminder that its shores are more than tourist magnets — they’re also at the frontline of regional security.
And for the AFP and ADF? It was proof that when the waves rise, so does their partnership.
📸 Photos by LTC Salgado PA, SSg Ambay PA, PFC Carmelotes PN(M), Mr. Bungubung/PAOAFP
