Aaron-Matthew Lariosa

About Aaron-Matthew Lariosa

Aaron-Matthew Lariosa is a freelance defense journalist based in Washington, D.C.


Recent Posts By the Author


Forward Deployed U.S. Marine Task Force Begin Drills with Indonesia

Forward Deployed U.S. Marine Task Force Begin Drills with Indonesia

U.S. Marines with Marine Rotational Force-Southeast Asia, I Marine Expeditionary Force and Indonesian marines with 4th Marine Infantry Brigade, Pasmar 1, participate in the Keris Marine Exercise opening ceremony at Piabung Training Area in Sukabumi, West Java, Indonesia, Nov. 23, 2023. US Marine Corps Photo

After training in the Philippines since October, a forward-positioned Marine Corps task force kicked off another exercise in Indonesia last week. Read More

Philippines Holds Joint Patrols with Australia in the South China Sea

Philippines Holds Joint Patrols with Australia in the South China Sea

Officer of the watch, Lt. Vincent Bornaghi conducts an officer of the watch maneuvers exercise from the bridge wing of HMAS Toowoomba with the Philippine Navy’s BRP Gregorio del Pilar as part of the regional presence deployment on Nov. 26, 2023. Royal Australian Navy Photo

The Philippines concluded a series of joint maritime and aerial patrols with Australia in the South China Sea today, and plans to hold more patrols in the future with the U.S. and other allies, according to officials. Read More

Marines Perfect Maritime Domain Awareness, Coastal Defense in Joint Philippines Exercise

Marines Perfect Maritime Domain Awareness, Coastal Defense in Joint Philippines Exercise

U.S. Marines with Marine Rotational Force-Southeast Asia, I Marine Expeditionary Force, set up a SIMRAD radar system for a coastal defense training activity during KAMANDAG 7 on Kamuning Beach, Palawan, Philippines, Nov. 16, 2023. US Marine Corps Photo

After 11 days of drills, U.S. Marines and Philippine forces wrapped up the seventh iteration of the KAMANDAG Marine exercise in Manila over the weekend. Read More

U.S., Philippines Begin Three Days of Joint Patrols in the South China Sea 

U.S., Philippines Begin Three Days of Joint Patrols in the South China Sea 

USS Dewey (DDG-105), bottom, steams in formation with the Philippine Navy offshore patrol vessel BRP Gregorio del Pilar (PS 15) while conducting a bilateral sail in the South China Sea, Oct. 21, 2023. US Navy Photo

On Nov. 21, the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, in coordination with the Armed Forces of the Philippines, began joint maritime and aerial patrols in the South China Sea. Read More

Interview: U.S. Army Expanding Watercraft Footprint in the Pacific

Interview: U.S. Army Expanding Watercraft Footprint in the Pacific

The 8th Theater Sustainment Command’s Commanding General, Maj. Gen. Jered Helwig, on a tour aboard Logistics Support Vessel 4 (LSV4), the LT. Gen William B. Bunker, on Aug. 23, 2022. US Army Photo

WASHINGTON, D.C. – When asked if he looked forward to having additional watercraft under his command, the commanding general of the Army’s 8th Theater Sustainment Command (TSC) said: “We know that in our exercises, having more capability would really give us flexibility, and a lot of better options,” he said. Read More

U.S. Army Leaders Argue Service’s Relevance in the Pacific

U.S. Army Leaders Argue Service’s Relevance in the Pacific

An M1A2 Abrams tanks operated by an armored crew from Comanche Company, 4th Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment assaults the objective during a combined arms live fire exercise at Townsville Field Training Area in Queensland, Australia, Aug. 8, 2023. US Army Photo

As the Navy, Air Force and Marines focus on expanding their capabilities in the Pacific, the Army is on a campaign to prove its regional relevance as service leaders made their case last week at AUSA 2023. Read More