U.S. Marine Corps Rehearses Deploying Air Defense Radar to the Philippines
MANILA, PHILIPPINES – The U.S. Marine Corps is forward deploying an expeditionary air defense radar to the Southeast Asian archipelago in support of Manila’s defense modernization efforts, USNI News has learned. Earlier this month, Marine Rotational Force – Southeast Asia rehearsed deploying a AN/TPS-80 Ground/Air Task-Oriented Radar at an undisclosed location in the Philippines. Capt. MacKenzie Margroum, a spokesperson for the unit, told USNI News that the training focused on the rapid deployment of the air defense radar. “Being able to rapidly reposition capabilities and continue supporting command and control contributes to a force that is more mobile, responsive and
A U.S. Marine Corps medium tactical vehicle replacement with Aviation Command and Control Detachment, Marine Rotational Force – Southeast Asia, I Marine Expeditionary Force, tows an AN/TPS-80 Ground and Air Task Oriented Radar during training in the Philippines, Aug. 17, 2026. US Marine Corps photo MANILA, PHILIPPINES – The U.S. Marine Corps is forward deploying an expeditionary air defense radar to the Southeast Asian archipelago in support of Manila’s defense modernization efforts, USNI News has learned.
Earlier this month, Marine Rotational Force – Southeast Asia rehearsed deploying a AN/TPS-80 Ground/Air Task-Oriented Radar at an undisclosed location in the Philippines. Capt. MacKenzie Margroum, a spokesperson for the unit, told USNI News that the training focused on the rapid deployment of the air defense radar.
“Being able to rapidly reposition capabilities and continue supporting command and control contributes to a force that is more mobile, responsive and capable of operating alongside our Philippine Allies,” said Margroum.
The drills occurred on Aug. 17 during the Archipelagic Coastal Defense Continuum, a series of exercises with the Philippine Marine Corps.
Deployable via C-130 or heavy-lift helicopters and operational within an hour of deployment, G/ATOR is the Marine Corps’ key contribution to joint air and missile defense efforts for broader U.S. military operations. The radar is designed to replace the functions of a series of Cold War-era systems and will allow the service to perform aerial surveillance, air traffic control, counter-artillery and air defense missions. Marine Corps units have deployed the system at various locations along the first island chain since its initial deployment in 2018.
USNI News understands the training area on Aug. 17 was Subic Bay International Airport. Formerly known as Cubi Point during the time the U.S. had bases in the area, the facility has since been used as the primary entryway for American equipment into the Philippines for military activities.
From Subic Bay, the system can rapidly deploy across the Southeast Asian archipelago through aerial and maritime means to locations. Through contractors such as KBR and V2X, American forces have also established new prepositioning sites around Subic Bay.
During Balikatan 2026, leadership from the 3rd Marine Air Wing visited a G/ATOR system operated by Air Command and Control Detachment – Philippines at an unspecified location in Luzon.
For the Philippines – which lacks a modern air defense network capable of covering the entire archipelago – the forward-deployment of sensors like these help Washington and Manila monitor an increasingly assertive China. Beijing regularly deploys patrol aircraft, helicopters, fighters and bombers in the air space around the Philippine archipelago to assert its claims at disputed maritime features. Cruise missile-armed People’s Liberation Army Air Force H-6K bombers are a common sight over Scarborough Shoal, located only 120 miles from Luzon, in response to U.S.-Philippine drills.
“The Aug. 17 training focused on more than the radar itself. Marines practiced moving, establishing and integrating the capability as part of a distributed force. These repetitions identify friction, improve interoperability and ensure MRF-SEA provides combat-credible forces prepared to operate alongside our Philippine Allies when called upon,” said Margroum.
