Manila, May 6 -- Rockets from US Army HIMARS launchers ripped through the air, streaking towards ship targets that were approaching the coast of northwest Luzon in the Philippines. As the notional enemy flotilla sailed on, other military assets such as fighters, missile patrol boats, and attack helicopters began to winnow the number of enemy landing craft.

For those enemy amphibious assault vehicles that made it all the way to the searingly hot beach of the La Paz sand dunes, they and their dismounted infantry were met by a barrage of artillery rounds, mortar fire, small arms, and even Stinger surface-to-air missiles.

By the end of the battle, an unmanned surface vessel sat on the shore ablaze, while another disabled boat floated away....