The deployment is seen as a significant milestone in the ongoing development of the U.S.-Philippines Alliance. “Working with the government and Armed Forces of the Philippines to bring the NMESIS into the Philippines has been a significant step in the right direction for the reaffirmation and strengthening of U.S.-Philippine relations,” said Colonel John G. Lehane, Commanding Officer of 3d MLR.
As part of Exercise Balikatan 25, which runs from 21 April to 9 May, 3d MLR will take part in several field training events, including Integrated Air and Missile Defense, Maritime Key Terrain Security Operations in Northern Luzon and the Batanes Islands, Counter Landing Live Fire in Cagayan, and a Maritime Strike exercise at sea. The NMESIS will be employed specifically during the Maritime Key Terrain Security Operations.
During this segment, U.S. Marines from the 3d Littoral Combat Team’s Medium-Range Missile Battery and Philippine Marines with the 4th Marine Brigade will transport several NMESIS launchers using U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force aircraft. These launchers will be moved from Northern Luzon to multiple islands in the Batanes chain.
Once on the islands, the forces will jointly establish a Fires Expeditionary Advanced Base (EAB). Although the NMESIS will not be fired during the exercise, 3d MLR’s Fire Support Coordination Center will conduct simulated fire missions using the system’s presence.
In Northern Luzon, the AN/TPS-80 Ground/Air Task-Oriented Radar (G/ATOR), operated by 3d Littoral Anti-Air Battalion’s Tactical Air Control Element, will monitor airspace to support maritime strike operations and ensure airspace coordination. The data gathered will be transmitted through tactical data links to be processed and used for targeting and tracking within the Fires EAB.
This marks the third consecutive year that 3d MLR has supported Exercise Balikatan, at the request of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). In 2023, the unit introduced the AN/TPS-80 G/ATOR to the country, and in 2024, carried out its first Maritime Key Terrain Security Operation on Itbayat, Batan, and Mauvulis islands.
This year, the AFP and the Philippine Marine Corps requested the expansion of these operations to include NMESIS. “The AFP are some of our closest and strongest Allies, and we at 3d MLR look forward to coming back to the Philippines at the invitation of the AFP to exercise alongside and learn from our Philippine Marine Corps counterparts,” Col. Lehane added.
The NMESIS enhances 3d MLR’s sea denial capabilities, reinforces naval integration, and extends the Joint Force’s targeting range from land and sea. In the Philippine context, it contributes directly to strengthening coastal defence in line with the AFP’s strategic goals.
