Brigadier General Dean Thompson (G3, Australian Army), Major General Scott Winter (G5, US Army Pacific), Colonel Christopher Winn (G5, Marine Forces Pacific), Major General Norimichi Shirakawa (G5, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force), Brigadier General Vicente MAP Blanco III (Deputy Commandant, Philippine Marine Corps), and Major General Leodevic B. Guinid (Vice Commander of the Philippine Army) pose for a group photo during the CORE 4 Technical Working Group (TWG) Two-Star Level Meeting at the Headquarters Philippine Army in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City, on March 1-2, 2025. (Photo courtesy: US Army Pacific)
MANILA, (PIA) — The Philippine Army hosted the CORE 4 Technical Working Group (TWG) Two-Star Level Meeting, convening senior military leaders from the Philippines, United States, Japan, and Australia for high-level discussions at the Headquarters Philippine Army in Taguig City.
Attendees included Brigadier General Dean Thompson (G3, Australian Army), Maj. Gen. Scott Winter (G5, US Army Pacific), Col. Christopher Winn (G5, Marine Forces Pacific), Maj. Gen. Norimichi Shirakawa (G5, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force), Brig. Gen. Vicente MAP Blanco III (Deputy Commandant, Philippine Marine Corps), and Maj. Gen. Leodevic B. Guinid, Vice Commander of the Philippine Army.
The meeting focused on enhancing interoperability and aligning military exercises among regional partners and allies, with the aim of reinforcing collective defense capabilities in the Indo-Pacific Region.
Key discussions highlighted the importance of information sharing and mutual trust as essential pillars for effective multilateral cooperation.
Through this engagement, CORE 4 member nations reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening regional security and advancing operational synergy across their land forces.
Looking ahead, the next CORE 4 engagement is scheduled for May 2025 in Hawaii during the Land Forces Pacific (LANPAC) event.
This forum will provide another opportunity for participating nations to advance strategic initiatives and further solidify military partnerships in the Indo-Pacific Region. (JCO/PIA-NCR)
