Philippine and US marines recently landed on a small island nearly 100 miles south of Taiwan, equipped with weapons and supplies for a three-day stay. The platoon was part of the Marine Corps’ 3rd Coast Guard Battalion, which was prepared for possible military confrontations in the area. Their mission was to train for potential conflicts with China in its closest island chains, where they aimed to delay Chinese forces and buy time for the entry of more American forces.
The Marines faced many challenges during training, including logistics issues and threats from China’s missile arsenal and surveillance capabilities. They practiced communication tactics to remain hidden from enemy forces, using electronic warfare techniques to confuse sensors and radar. They trained in various locations, such as the Hawaiian Islands, California, and the Philippines, honing their ability to adapt to combat conditions and remain mobile.
In the event of conflict, Marine coastal battalions planned to contain the Chinese fleet within the first island chain, preventing them from threatening American forces supporting Taiwan. The alliance between the US and the Philippines has strengthened in recent years, allowing US forces access to military sites in the country for strategic positioning. The marines focused on maintaining a presence in the region to support US efforts in case of a crisis.
Marine coastal battalions aimed to counter China’s access denial strategy by keeping a foothold in the region and preventing the closure of strategic routes to American forces. Training exercises and strategic positioning were crucial in ensuring effective and survivable tactics in face of potential conflict scenarios with China.