|
|
FRIENDSHIP AIRBORNE 1998 - PHILIPPINES
FAT excerpt from Airborne Quarterly Winter 99 Issue by Frank Osanka.
March 28, 1998
When the Friendship Airborne 1998 paratroopers
arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila Major
Natalio C. Ecarma III and his FORCE RECON Marines met them.
Pretty and petite receptionists gave each the visiting
paratroopers a floral necklace from the Philippine Tourism
Authority.
Then the paratroopers boarded a first class; air-conditioned bus with huge "WELCOME FRIENDSHIP AIRBORNE" banners hanging from it, in which they toured Manila on the way to the Headquarters of the Philippine Marine Corps at Fort Bonifacio.
They were met by the Philippine Marine Corps ten man
General Staff who briefed them on the water jump and support
schedule, including festivities, in the next few days. From there
the paratroopers re-boarded the Friendship Airborne tour bus and
viewed the city of Manila and the Philippine countryside on the
two hour trip to the exclusive Caylabne Beach Resort at Ternate,
Cavite which is located close to the Philippine Marine Jungle
Warfare Center at Marine Base Ternate (MBT).
That first night the visitors were treated to an elaborate feast at the hotel and the evening was spent dancing, swimming, partying, and otherwise relaxing at the Caylabne Beach Resort, a tropical paradise.
March 29, 1998
After a hearty and wholesome breakfast, the visiting paratroopers left for the Marine Base Ternate (MBT) in a heavily guarded Marine truck convoy. At the MBT they found a gala Decorated reception area complete with "WELCOME FRIENDSHIP AIRBORNE" banners and stage with an opening ceremony backdrop. The opening ceremony began with the formal arrival of the CMC, MGEN. Ponciano S. Millena (CPMC). The CPMC and Friendship Airborne paratroopers were entertained for twenty minutes by the Philippine Marine Corps (PMC) Drum and Bugle Corps. The Philippine Navy Chaplain, Captain Livy Jose S. Magueno, gave a moving invocation, followed by the Philippine national anthem and concluded with an inspirational welcoming speech by MGEN Millena.
Next on the agenda was a thoroughly professional water
jump Procedure briefing by FORCE RECON Bn Commander, Major Ecarma
and his senior NCO Jump Masters. After a brief break where the
Friendship Airborne and host Paratroopers exchanged jump stories
and made plans for evening camaraderie, the visitors were treated
to an operational and static display of FORCE RECON team
equipment, boat-casting, and helicopter-casting. 
The highlight of the demonstrations was knife
and stick fighting demonstrations. After lunch in the field, the
visitors began water jump training that was conducted by both the
FORCE RECON Marines and Navy SEALS. The trainers were very
thorough and those who had difficulty getting out of their
harness preparing for a water landing were required to practice
until they were perfect in the water jump procedures.
As the troops continued to train, Dr. Frank Osanka and other Friendship Airborne Jump Masters joined their PM counterparts in a helicopter overflight of the water Drop Zone. The flight also included an over-flight tour of historical Manila Bay defense facilities, including Carabao Island, El Fraile (The Friar) Island, and Fort Drum Island.
Days later, on the cruise tour of
Corregidor Island, the Friendship Airborne paratroopers circled
Ft. Drum and marveled at its construction. It was built by the
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in the 1920s for the purpose of
defending approaches to Manila Bay. Basically, it is a concrete
gun emplacement raised on an island and looks just like a
battleship. It has a proud battle history.
After grueling water jump training, the exhausted visiting paratroopers returned to the luxury of the Caylabne Beach Resort to clean up and rest before the evening banquet hosted by the Philippine Department of Tourism and the BGEN. Millena.
The banquet included brief speeches by Mr. R. Romulo A. De Los Reyes, Department of Tourism, and BGEN. Millena, and Dr. Osanka. In keeping with Friendship Airborne tradition, Dr. Osanka presented an autographed copy of his book Modern Guerilla Warfare to MGEN Millena for the Philippine Marine Corps Library. The book was first published in 1962 and has enjoyed twelve printings in English and several foreign language printings.
The banquet atmosphere was festive and the food sumptuous. There was a cultural show of traditional Philippine dances and there was a lively music combo for dancing. A great time was had by all.
March 30, 1998
Reveille the next morning was at 0430 and the uniform for the jump was swimmer shorts, gym shoes, and the Friendship Airborne 1998 commemorative T-shirt. After a light and quick breakfast the paratroopers again loaded into the heavily guarded Marine trucks and returned to the MBT. Upon arrival, the visiting paratroopers, Marine FORCE RECON troopers, and Navy SEALS rallied near the helicopter pad and "chuted up". As this was to be a water jump, everybody wore a UDT/SEAL inflatable life vest. The Jump Masters performed detailed rigger's checks and the ever-thorough Major Ecarma again reviewed and ordered the jumpers to demonstrate the proper water jump procedures. Soon two Philippine Air Force and one Philippine Navy helicopters arrived and the Jump Masters started to load the seven man sticks.
The next two hours were devoted to what the Friendship
Airborne paratroopers had come from Germany, Canada, Sweden,
Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States for?jumping
and qualifying for the coveted Philippine parachute wings. Safety
was paramount throughout the exercise. The water Drop Zone was
surrounded with several types of recovery boats. When Dr. Osanka
was recovered from the water and dragged into a rubber
infiltration boat he noticed a sniper rifle in the bottom of the
boat. After catching his breath he asked, "What's that
for?" "Sharks," replied the Marine FORCE RECON
Commando.
The successful and exciting water jump operation ended around 0900. The rest of the remainder of the day was devoted to SCUBA training and qualifying awards, civic action projects, a closing ceremony, and a Prop-Blast Ceremony dinner. The SCUBA training and qualification tests were under some very able NCOs and included swims, dives, and the formal awarding of the SCUBA badge certificates entitling the recipients to wear the admired silver bubble badge (same as the one issued in the U.S.).
One of the most satisfying events of the whole visit was the Joint Philippine Marine/ Friendship airborne civic action project. The paratroopers mixed freely with the rural Philippine elementary school teachers and children. Before arriving in the Philippines, Friendship Airborne purchased Walt Disney ballpoint pens, some T-shirts, and some candy.
Golden Books Publishers of Racine, Wisconsin donated
three hundred colored picture books. In addition, the Racine
McDonald's donated fifty McDonald's baseball caps. The joint
civic action paratroopers distributed these and other items to
the children and schoolteachers. It was like Christmas in March
for the Philippine school children.
The Philippine parachute wings were awarded during the
closing Ceremony when each Friendship Airborne paratrooper stood
at attention before VADM Eduardo MA. R. Santos, Flag Officer in
Command of the Philippine Navy. In closing, the VADM, the CPMC,
and Dr. Frank Osanka made closing speeches. 
Afterwards the trio met with a large group of assembled news media representatives. One of the fascinating local customs was the Boodle Fight lunch whereby all of the lunch is laid out on top of banana leaves on a very long series of tables. Then the Marines and visitors "attacked" the food with their bare hands. Everybody had a great time and ate plenty even though they were all laughing through most of the lunch.
The final festivity of the day was the Prop-Blast Ceremony hosted by the CPMC and Major Ecarma. It was a traditional "prop-blast" ceremony. Each Friendship Airborne paratrooper was put "on trial" and "judged" for their alleged jump procedure mistakes during their water jumps earlier in the day. The "offenses" were read, pleas were entered, verdicts were rendered and punishment performed. Some pled guilty when offenses were read. However, all were found guilty and sentenced. Punishment was usually being required to "chug-a-lug" a mysterious "jungle" drink in a canteen cup that left most very dizzy.
Other punishments were the demands for push-ups, PLFs, and some were required to sing airborne songs. In the later cases, it was the audience who was punished the most. The dress for the party was casual, on the beach, and picnic-style. Gifts were exchanged, military service and airborne songs by all sides long into the night. A great time was had by all and lasting friendships were forged. Some paratroopers never got to sleep that night. Each visiting paratrooper was issued a wallet-size prop-blast qualification card.
It was the last night with the Marine FORCE
RECON and Navy SEALS and we will all miss them.
We all thought, "I shall return."
March 31, 1998
One of the most impressive days on the trip was the visit to battle scarred Corregidor Island. The Philippine Navy assigned an eighty-foot fast patrol boat to Friendship Airborne for the trip to the famous Corregidor Island.
The visit was especially memorial to Friendship Airborne because During World War II the United States and Philippine troops retook the strategic island from the Japanese by a combined Airborne (503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment) and amphibious attack.
Fighting for the island in World War II was savage. During one twenty-four hour period the Japanese dropped 16,000 shells and bombs on Corregidor. The visiting paratroopers marveled at the military carnage as they walked through tunnels, bunkers, destroyed barracks, and hospitals. Many vowed to return to Corregidor for a longer, even overnight visit.
April 1, 1998
Friendship Airborne said goodbye to the competent and friendly staff at the Caylabne Beach resort and then bussed to Clark Air Force Base with a memorable stop at the American Cemetery and Memorial in Manila. Here some of the Philippine Marine FORCE RECON paratroopers rejoined Friendship Airborne in the form of a ten man dress blues Honor Guard.
Together the combined paratrooper force laid a wreath, prayed, and otherwise paid homage to the brave American men and women K.I.A.s interned there forever.
(Continued in Airborne Quarterly, Spring 1999)
Airborne!
Join the American Airborne Association and get your own copy of The Airborne Quarterly
The Airborne Quarterly is published by the American
Airborne Association, Inc.
Mckinstry Mill Road, New Windsor, MD, 21776-7903 USA.
Phone (410) 775-7733 Fax: (410) 775-7760
Editor: Col. William E. Weber USA(Ret)
