TERNATE, Cavite – A newly constructed maintenance bay and boat ramp for the Marine Corps Assault Boat Battalion (MCABBN) was turned-over on 10-February-2022 in a ceremony attended by BGen. Raul Jesus L. Caldez PN(M), Deputy Commandant, Philippine Marine Corps.

The construction of the maintenance bays and beaching ramps was supported by the Joint U.S. Military Assistance Group (JUSMAG)-Philippines. It was a result of the combined efforts of the Naval Small Craft Instruction and Technical Training School and JUSMAG-Philippines for Mobile Training on Diesel Engine, Outboard Engine, and Hamilton Waterjets, as well as the maintenance capability of the MCABBN for the arrival from the U.S. of Small Unit Riverine Craft.

U.S. Embassy in the Philippines Chargé d’Affaires ad interim Heather Variava turned over the facility key to the Commander of the Combat Service Support Brigade, BGen. Ruben C. Candelario PN(M), with MCABBN Commander, Lt. Col. Roderick H. Bunyi PN(M).

BGen. Caldez emphasized the need to capitalize not just on the acquisition of the material component but also on the other spectrum of capability development, particularly at the maintenance level. He acknowledged the support of the U.S. government to the Philippines in promoting the shared interest on regional cooperation and mutual capability development.

The then Commandant MGen. Ariel R. Caculitan PN(M), who was attending the annual Philippine Marine Corps-U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific (PMC-MARFORPAC), Marine to Marine Staff Talks in Hawaii, extended his gratitude to the JUSMAG-Philippines for the accomplishment of the project.