Photo By Cpl. Ryan Ramsammy | U.S. Marine Corps Col. Robert S. Bunn, center left, the incoming commanding officer of Marine Rotational Force – Southeast Asia, I Marine Expeditionary Force, and Col. Robb T. McDonald, the outgoing commanding officer of MRF-SEA, pose for a photo with Philippine Air Force Lt. Gen. Aristotle D. Gonzalez, left, the commanding general of Northern Luzon Command, and Brig. Gen. Cesar A. Molina, the deputy commander of NOLCOM, during a key leader engagement at Camp Aquino, Philippines, March 31, 2026. MRF-SEA serves as I MEF’s forward command element, supporting Task Force - Philippines and integrating with the Armed Forces of the Philippines to strengthen interoperability and improve combined readiness. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Ryan Ramsammy) see less
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Marine Rotational Force – Southeast Asia continues Alliance with Philippines
MANILA, Philippines – The 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit concluded its rotation with Marine Rotational Force – Southeast Asia on March 31, after enhancing combined readiness with the Armed Forces of the Philippines and regional partners in Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, and Thailand. Building on that success, a new command element from I Marine Expeditionary Force arrived to continue the mission with a focused effort in the Philippines, integrating Marine Corps forces in support of Task Force – Philippines and strengthening the U.S.-Philippines Alliance.
This next rotation of MRF-SEA continues at the invitation of the government of the Philippines and is aligned with the Philippine-led Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept. Complementing Task Force – Philippines’ focus on bilateral coordination at the joint and strategic level, MRF-SEA operates at the operational level as the Marine Corps’ forward, rotational force – integrated with Philippine forces to synchronize capabilities and enable crisis response.
Under the 15th MEU, MRF-SEA demonstrated its regional presence by participating in major exercises such as Combined Cooperation Afloat Readiness Training Brunei, CARAT Malaysia, and in Indonesia at Exercise Bhakti Kayini AUSINDO 25.
The most extensive partnership, however, was with the AFP. This included exchanging best practices with Northern Luzon Command staff and enhancing shared command and control of combined operations. In the field, Marines and Sailors worked alongside the Philippine Marine Corps during exercises Sama Sama 25 and Marine Air Support Activity 25. Together, the forces conducted four simulated maritime strikes and significantly improved information-sharing, enhancing their collective understanding of the maritime environment.
The strength of the U.S.-Philippines Alliance was again on display in early November, when the force rapidly transitioned from training to real-world humanitarian assistance. Following typhoons Fung-Wong and Kalmaegi, MRF-SEA helped lead the U.S. response to support the Philippine government’s disaster relief operations. The unit was a critical element in coordinating nearly 500 U.S. service members and dozens of aircraft that delivered 10,000 family food packs to heavily impacted communities in the Catanduanes region.
Reflecting on the deployment, the outgoing commander, Col. Robb T. McDonald, said, "It has been a profound honor for the Marines and Sailors of the 15th MEU to serve alongside our steadfast partners in the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei and Thailand. Especially in the Philippines, we have enhanced our combined readiness and deepened the personal and professional bonds that are the bedrock of our Alliance. I am incredibly proud of what we have accomplished in this region since October and am confident that the incoming force will continue to build on our critical Alliance."
The next rotation of MRF-SEA will deepen integration and advance interoperability by training shoulder-to-shoulder with the PMC and the broader AFP, with a focus on strengthening the Philippines’ defensive capabilities.
The incoming commander, Col. Robert S. Bunn, emphasized the evolution of the rotational force. “This iteration of MRF-SEA reflects a deliberate shift from presence to presence with purpose. We are integrating with the AFP to strengthen combined capabilities, enable faster response in crisis, and contribute to a credible, forward posture in the Indo-Pacific. Our alliance is not symbolic – it is operational, historic and built to endure.”
MRF-SEA’s integration with the AFP will be demonstrated through bilateral exercises, including Balikatan 26, KAMANDAG 10, and Marine Aviation Support Activity 26. Each exercise is designed in partnership to directly support Philippine defense objectives.
Building on the momentum set by the 15th MEU, the next iteration of MRF-SEA will deepen integration with the AFP and improve the combined force’s ability to respond rapidly.
