Honolulu: Philippine Navy (PN) medical personnel enhanced their lifesaving skills through the Maritime Tactical Combat Casualty Care (MarTCCC) training, aimed at strengthening their capability to treat casualties at sea.

According to Philippines News Agency, the MarTCCC training held early this week is part of this year's "Rim of the Pacific" (RIMPAC) exercise, which runs from June 24 to July 31 in Hawaii. The training aims to boost the participants' medical care capabilities in maritime operational environments. Participants attended a two-day theoretical session followed by practical exercises on a simulated mass casualty medical drill aboard HMCS Ottawa. This allowed them to apply tactical combat casualty care principles, emphasizing rapid assessment, effective treatment, and casualty evacuation.

The Philippine RIMPAC contingent, known as Naval Task Group 84, consists of around 134 personnel who traveled aboard the guided-missile frigate BRP Miguel Malvar (FFG-6). Through collaborative learning and hands-on exercises, participants improved their readiness to respond effectively to medical contingencies during multinational maritime operations. The training also served as a platform for strengthening interoperability and exchanging best practices in combat casualty care.

The Navy emphasized that its participation in the MarTCCC underscores its commitment to enhancing the professional competence of its medical personnel. This aligns with the objectives of RIMPAC in promoting cooperation, interoperability, and collective readiness among allied and partner navies.

The US Pacific Fleet noted that this year's RIMPAC will involve 31 nations and feature a multinational force of approximately 40 surface ships, five submarines, 140 aircraft, and more than 25,000 naval personnel. RIMPAC, the world's largest international maritime warfare exercise, is held every two years in Hawaiian waters.