Tropic Lightning’s 25th Infantry Division deploys HIMARS to the Philippines in historic first

Laur, Philippines — U.S. and Philippine forces conducted a rapid HIMARS live-fire at Jungle Base in Laur, marking the 25th Infantry Division’s first forward deployment of the rocket system to the Philippines and the first HIMARS firing from that location for the Philippine Army.

U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Jonathan Velishka, deputy commanding general of the 25th Infantry Division, emphasized the pace of the rollout. “The division only fielded this capability last July [2025],” said Velishka. “From July to today [April 2026], the 25th Infantry Division Artillery has integrated a new set of battalion equipment, trained [its] Soldiers, and then been able to forward deploy here to conduct section qualification and certification.”

The 2nd Battalion, 11th Long Range Fires Battalion carried out the mission April 15–16 in Canantong, Laur, Nueva Ecija, completing Table V and Table VI qualifications. Soldiers inspected rocket pods in a staging area and loaded them using auxiliary systems before moving to firing positions to receive precise targeting data. After final checks, the launchers fired 12 precision-guided rockets to an impact area more than nine kilometers away, with more than 100 Philippine military personnel, civilians, and media watching.

Philippine Army support was integral to the event, including securing both the firing point and the impact area. Maj. Gen. Michael Logico, commanding general of the Training and Doctrine Command, Philippine Army, helped facilitate the effort. “It is a sight to see when we see this weapon system being fired,” said Logico. “It is new for the Philippine Army and it’s good [to become] familiar with it.”

While the Philippine Army has previously hosted HIMARS with other U.S. Army units, including the 7th Infantry Division from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, this was the first time the system was fired from Laur. The event introduced new training options and required the designation of fresh impact areas, firing lanes, and firing points.

Logico underscored the value of training with experienced partners. “You’re not gonna be a world-class swimmer unless you train with a world-class partner,” said Logico. “If you start training among yourselves, you’re only going to be as good as the local competition.”

As Exercise Salaknib 26 continues, the Laur live-fire underscored expanding U.S.-Philippine interoperability and the rapid integration of new capabilities, reflecting a shared focus on training, learning, and advancing together.