They were operating in Northern Luzon and the Batanes Islands, Philippine territory north of the mainland — key terrain for a potential conflict with China.
The mission, known as maritime key terrain security operations, or MKTSO, was practice for that conflict, but had real-world implications.
It was a show of force headed by elements of the Marine Corps ' newest Pacific-oriented unit: the Marine littoral regiment, or MLR.
AdvertisementUS Marines prepare to load onto a UH-60 Black Hawk for the maritime key terrain security operations event at Paredes Air Station, Philippines.
Malia SparksThose units were joined by a rifle company, also a joint-nation element, with the ability to seize and defend key terrain in the event of conflict.
Persons:
—, Army Chinooks, Cpl, Malia Sparks, Maj, Robert Patterson, Military.com, Mark Lenzi, Lenzi, Patterson, Marine corporals
Organizations:
Service, Marine Corps, Business, Philippine Marines, Army, UH, Paredes Air, US Marine Corps, Philippine Marine, US Army UH, 3rd, Combat, Marines, Enhanced, US Army CH, Marine, United
Locations:
Taiwan, Northern Luzon, Philippine, China, Philippines, Itbayat, United States