Former House Deputy Speaker and Philippine Air Force Reserve Col. Mikee Romero said he was lucky enough to have a brief but meaningful meeting with the chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff recently.
Romero, chairman of the Association of Reservists and Reserve Officers of the Philippines (ARRAPI), said his talk with Gen. Dan Caine was one big step towards strengthening the cooperation between American citizen-soldiers and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) reserve force.
Romero was among the 25-strong senior officials of the AFP and ARRAPI that took part in the recent 147th National Guard Association of the United States (NGAUS) General Assembly and Conference in Milwaukee, Wisconsin where Caine was a keynote speaker.
Caine, one of the most trusted military leaders in the Trump administration, also underscored his intent to visit the country someday, a gesture that delighted the PH delegation.
Caine was appointed in 2025 as the 22nd chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
After sharing insights with Caine, Romero is convinced the AFP reserve force can enhance its own humanitarian and disaster-response coordination. He is also looking forward for a joint training and exchange programs with US counterparts to bolster its own capability to respond during calamities.
Both Caine and Romero also emphasized the importance played by both groups in addressing today’s security and humanitarian challenges.
In his official address, Caine lauded the gallant effort of the Texas National Guard during the July 4 Central Texas flooding.
Cap: US Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman Gen. Dan Caine with ARRAPI chairman Mikee Romero
On his part, Romero and fellow reservists took part in flood relief missions in Bulacan, where they helped evacuate over 7,500 people displaced by Tropical Storm Crising.
As senior deputy speaker and vice chairman of the bicameral conference committee, Romero was instrumental in securing funding for three C-130J-30 Hercules aircraft in 2022 — critical assets for tactical airlift, logistics, and disaster-response missions. These aircraft are scheduled for delivery between 2026 and 2027.
Apart from Romero, other PH representatives to the convention were Maj. Gen. Gerold Gagan (OJ9), Maj. Gen. Arvin Lagamon (OJ7), Maj. Gen. Doroteo Jalandoni (Navrescom), Brig. Gen. Geminic Ramirez (AFRESCOM), Brig. Gen. Onorlie Brillantes (AFRC)
Joining Romero from the ARRAPI side were ARRAPI president Lt. Col. Vladimir Mata, and board members Lt. Col. Peter Negrido and Lt. Col. Meliton Agpaoa.
