Hawaii Guard, Filipino Military Conduct Expert Exchange

LAPU-LAPU, CEBU, PHILIPPINES - The Hawaii Army National Guard returned to the coastal city of Lapu-Lapu Sept. 16-20 for the third iteration of a State Partnership Program Rotary Wing exchange.

This subject matter expert exchange focused on the essential maintenance of Black Hawk helicopters, providing a collaborative platform for maintainers to share best practices and ensure their fleet remains mission-ready.

A contingent from Company C, 1st Battalion 183rd Aviation Regiment, alongside personnel from Army Aviation Support Facility No. 2 and the State Army Aviation Office, engaged in this year's rotary wing SMEE with the Philippine Air Force 205th Tactical Helicopter Wing at Brig. Gen. Benito N. Ebuen Air Base in Mactan.

The State Partnership Program is unique to the National Guard, pairing each state and territory with a country, creating an enduring relationship.

For nearly a quarter of a century, the Hawaii National Guard has forged a robust partnership with the Philippines. This alliance facilitates bilateral training exercises, enhances operational compatibility and capabilities and fosters a lasting relationship between all parties involved.

The inaugural rotary wing SME exchange was held last year in Mactan, with the most recent SMEE taking place this past April in Hawaii. This iteration emphasized improving safety, standardization and maintenance of the Sikorsky S-70i Black Hawk.

"There is no mission too important that safety can be disregarded," said PAF Lt. Col. John Paul Delgado, 210th Tactical Training Squadron commander, 205th Tactical Helicopter Wing. "Though we are all eager to fly, perform our tasks and serve our country, we still need to pause a little and think about safety."

During the weeklong event, the participants collaborated across two training stations. A panel of HIARNG maintenance SMEs discussed challenges, troubleshot and provided feedback on aviation maintenance and standardization topics. The hands-on portion of the exchange took place inside the hangar area, where PAF maintenance technicians learned alongside their HIARNG counterparts. This training involved detailed, step-by-step guidance, ensuring the adoption of best practices in aviation maintenance.

U.S. Army Capt. John Worthington, Aviation Support Facility commander and UH-60 Black Hawk instructor pilot, has been a mainstay since last year's exchange.

"My vision for the end result of this partnership is to have contributed to the integrated deterrence in the INDOPACOM area of responsibility," said Worthington. "We can accomplish this through the tactical interoperability supporting both domestic and combat operations alongside the 205th THW in the Philippines. Our interchangeable rotary assets, such as the UH-60M and S-70i, are the foundation to our partnership, which, through evolving engagements, can put us on the right trajectory."

U.S. Army Lt. Col. Deanna Manriquez, HIARANG Army Aviation Officer who served as the head of the delegation, was grateful to represent Hawaii in her first outing to the Philippines.

"It's been a very positive experience overall," said Manriquez. "It's wonderful to make these connections and develop these relationships because I understand how important it is building our partner capacity and working on our interoperability to help contribute to the security and stability out in the Indo-Pacific."

Participants enhanced their technical skills and safety protocols by fostering open dialogue and hands-on demonstrations.

The week-long training concluded with a gift exchange and a traditional "boodle fight," where military members gathered around a table and ate 'kamayan style,' a Filipino dining tradition, over a feast of local delicacies.

"The best gift we have is the enduring relationship with a valued partner that we can continue to build upon," said Manriquez.

The next rotary exchange is planned in April in Hawaii.

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