08 June 2015 - An  AFP delegation is a part of the disaster preparedness exercise,  “Vigilant Guard/Makani Pahili 2015” currently being held in Honolulu, Hawaii, from June 01 to 10. The emergency disaster exercise program aims to examine disaster response and recovery capabilities within the State Of Hawaii. Hawaii National Guard, county, state, and  federal agencies, together with public and private stakeholders and partners, organized the event.

Vigilant Guard is sponsored by the United States Northern Command (USNorthcom), in partnership with the National Guard Bureau and National Guards of the 54 States and Territories. The exercise provides state and national guards the opportunity to improve coordination of domestic operations among local and state governments, federal, non-governmental organizations, and the Department of State. This is the largest exercise to be held so far was attened by the Philippines, along with other Asia Pacific countries. The Philippine Delegation is headed by Rear Admiral Aurelio Rabusa Jr., Deputy Chief Of Staff for Reservists and Retirees Affairs, J9, GHQ,  Armed Forces of the Philippines.

The Hawaii National Guard and USPACOM  were among the first  responders when Super Typhoon Haiyan devastated Tacloban, Leyte and other parts of the Philippines in November 2013. END