US Army, Pacific allies execute HIMARS fire in Philippine coastal defense drill

By Staff Sgt. Brandon Rickert

PALAWAN, Philippines — Soldiers from the 5th Battalion, 3rd Artillery Regiment, 7th Infantry Division (Multi-Domain Command-Pacific) conducted a High Mobility Artillery Rocket System live-fire iteration on April 27, 2026, in Palawan, Philippines. In coordination with U.S. Marines, Philippine marines and Australian soldiers, this event was part of a counter landing live-fire exercise designed to repel a simulated enemy landing force across multiple ranges, from deep-water approaches to shallow littorals, in defense of the island.

The HIMARS maneuvered onto the beach from a concealed position and launched four reduced range practice rockets, effectively demonstrating the system’s mobility and precision. The practice and preparation by Alpha Battery soldiers resulted in an exceptionally fluid and rapidly executed fire mission.

“Today what we demonstrated was the absolute power that the land component brings to the fighting the pacific.” Said Lt. Col. Alexander Mullin, commander of the 5th Battalion, 3rd Artillery Regiment. ”Huge gains were made with the interoperability between the nations’ forces, communication and coordination of multiple fires were on full display during the exercise.” Mullin stated, “through being here we are demonstrating the cross-domain contact layer concept, which is our ability to provide a covering force in the Pacific and achieve decisive effects…

READ FULL ARTICLE HERE…  (army.mil)

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