LONG BEACH, Calif. – Things can get kind of routine after 31 years, but a large joint exercise between Marines and their Filipino counterparts broke new ground this year, as they completed some of the most complex amphibious training yet.

About 3,500 Marines and sailors trained with Philippine forces there from Sept 29 to Oct. 10, practicing amphibious assaults, expeditionary medicine, embassy defense, a mechanized assault, a healthcare outreach project, and the overhaul of a school building.

The annual exercise, known as Amphibious Landing Exercise — or PHIBLEX, included Marines from the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade and III Marine Expeditionary Force.

Col. John Armellino, chief of staff of 3rd MEB, said the cooperation between the troops was stronger than ever as they conducted complex ship-to-shore operations in Subic Bay.

"I would argue that this PHIBLEX emphasized greater combined operations," he told Marine Corps Times. "It was certainly more comprehensive, and it was definitely more complex than any PHIBLEX that we've done before."

The troops moved more than 200,000 pounds of supplies ashore during PHIBLEX by using an improved ribbon bridge and small boats, according to a Marine Corps news release. The bridge is a series of mobile platforms that can be assembled to move large items like Humvees across rivers or other waterways. The boats are specialized watercraft that can help correctly position the components of the bridge, the release states.

Practicing those types of operations with their close Philippine partners helps guarantee operational success in the event of a real-life contingency, Armellino said

"You're just improving upon what matters most, and it's relationships," he said. "Relationships matter most."

For the first time, the international event also included a certification exercise for the 31st MEU. MEUs are required to complete the certifications to show they can meet certain operational standards before deploying. The Marines from the MEU will go on the amphibious ship Peleliu and the dock landing ship Germantown, two boats that were a part of PHIBLEX.

Philippine marines also shared some tips on how to survive in the jungle by setting traps and finding food like fish, frogs and plants. Marines also learned new hand-to-hand combat techniques from the local marines.

"A lot of them are very skilled in Muay Thai and are a lot better in striking and kicking than we are," said Sgt. Nathan Bretz, a martial arts instructor with 3rd MEB, in a Marine Corps video. "We pick a lot up from them that we can take to the States and teach our Marines."

In total, about 4,700 people participated in PHIBLEX. Aside from the Marines, sailors and Filipino troops, members of the Japanese and Australian militaries sent observers, and personnel from other U.S. agencies participated, including the State Department, Army and Special Operations Command.

"Interoperability is always important to use for a variety of reasons," Armellino, who has seen the exercise three times, said. "History has shown us, and more importantly, recent history has shown us, that any operation we conduct in the future will certainly be joint and it will certainly be combined."

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