MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif. -- International military officers selected for the 58th annual International Senior Officer Amphibious Planning Course toured Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif., March 10.
They learned about Marine Corps aviation aspects in support of amphibious operations.
The international service members were from Bahrain, Philippines, Singapore and South Korea.
U.S. Navy Lt. Mark Lemons, an international student officer with Expeditionary Warfare Training Group Pacific, said the officers selected for this course are some of the brightest leaders in their respective military.
“This course aims to teach our international partners amphibious warfare operations and the culture and values of the United States,” said Lemons. “We hope to use this course to increase their knowledge of amphibious warfare and to strengthen the relationship between their nation and ours.”
The international officers received a tour from air traffic controllers, pilots and military working dog handlers.
“The aircraft are very new to me,” said Philippine Navy Cmdr. Hilarion Cesista. “It’s exciting to see the aircraft U.S. Marines have.”
Cesista also said the international officers left with a greater understanding of how the Third Marine Aircraft Wing operates.
“We appreciate the importance of the wing in support of joint operations. We are continuously having combined exercises with the United States. This is very important for our relationship for those exercises,” said Cesista.