U.S. Air Contingent enhances Philippine military, civilian mass casualty response skills

U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer Mark Gaskins, a hospital corpsman (right), observes proper patient loading procedures during a civilian and military disaster response exercise as part of the current iteration of a rotational Air Contingent at Brigadier General Benito N Ebuen Air Base, Philippines Sept. 29, 2016. Two C-130 Hercules aircraft and crews from the 374th Airlift Wing, Yokota Air Base, Japan, the 36th Contingency Response Group from Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, and other units from across U.S. Pacific Command conducted bilateral training missions and subject matter expert exchanges alongside their Philippine Air Force counterparts. The Air Contingent is helping build the capacity of the Philippine Air Force and increases joint training, promotes interoperability and provides greater and more transparent air and maritime situational awareness to ensure safety for military and civilian activities in international waters and airspace. Its missions include air and maritime domain awareness, personnel recovery, combating piracy, and assuring access to the air and maritime domains in accordance with international law. (U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Mark Lazane)