Manila, April 8, 2022—Members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the U.S. military gathered today to celebrate the successful completion of Balikatan 22, the 37th iteration of the annual bilateral exercise.
Over the last two weeks, nearly 9,000 exercise participants from the AFP and U.S. military trained shoulder-to-shoulder from the northern coast of Luzon to Palawan, focusing on maritime security, amphibious operations, live-fire training, urban operations, aviation operations, counterterrorism, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.
“After two years of a global pandemic, U.S. and Philippine forces have come together to complete one of the largest Balikatan exercises ever held,” said U.S. Embassy in the Philippines Chargé d’Affaires ad interim Heather Variava. “This is a testament to the strength of the U.S.-Philippine alliance and the shared priorities of our countries.”
“The completion of yet another successful Balikatan is a clear example of our shared commitment to advancing peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region,” said Brig. Gen. Joseph Clearfield, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Pacific Deputy Commander. “As a result of our mutual efforts, our militaries have grown together in friendship, and we are better prepared to respond as one cohesive team to any crisis or challenge.”
“The experience gained from exercise Balikatan complemented our security cooperation endeavors and helped enhance existing mutual security efforts,” said Maj. Gen. Charlton Sean Gaerlan, AFP exercise director. “Although there were limitations brought about by the pandemic, it is highly commendable that the exercise pushed through and generated a favorable outcome.”
U.S. and Philippine exercise forces employed more than 50 aircraft, four ships, 10 amphibious craft, four HIMARS rocket system launchers, and four Patriot missile systems during Balikatan 22. This year’s exercise also included approximately 40 personnel from the Australian Defense Force.
During Balikatan 22, U.S. Army Patriot missile systems were employed in amphibious operations in the Philippines for the first time. The exercise also saw the inaugural deployment of the U.S. Marine Corps’ 3RD Marine Littoral Regiment (3RD MLR), which was established in Hawaii on 3-March-2022.
AFP and U.S. forces experimented with sensors and fire support, and used expeditionary advanced bases (EABs) as the framework for an integrated coastal defense. Over the course of eight days, the 3RD MLR partnered with the Philippine Marine Corps Coastal Defense Regiment and provided command and control over multiple EABs across northern Luzon. This coastal defense was further enhanced by two Patriot Missile Batteries from the U.S. Army’s 1ST Battalion, 1ST Air Defense Artillery Regiment and HIMARS rocket system from 3RD Battalion, 12TH Marines.
The U.S. Navy and Philippine Navy played key roles providing sealift and off-shore support.
The AFP and U.S. military also conducted multiple humanitarian and civic assistance projects, including the renovation of four elementary schools, multiple community health engagements, and the exchange of advanced emergency rescue and lifesaving techniques. These construction projects, health engagements, and community relations events improved local infrastructure, facilitated the exchange of lifesaving medical skills, and strengthened ties between local communities and Philippine and American military forces.
While Balikatan 22 comes to a close, the AFP and U.S. forces will continue to train and stand together routinely during other exercises and initiatives throughout the year to promote readiness, interoperability, friendship, and security.
Balikatan, Tagalog for “shoulder-to-shoulder,” is a longstanding bilateral exercise highlighting the deep-rooted partnership between the Philippines and the United States.
Source: U.S. Embassy in the Philippines
Four Amphibious Assault Vehicles (AAV) of the Philippine Marine Corps were utilized during the Amphibious landing Exercise in Claveria, Cagayan. The AAVs were utilized to land the surface assault elements of the landing force and their equipment to the inland objectives, and to conduct mechanized operations as well as related combat support in subsequent mechanized operations ashore. Photo Credit: USMC 3RD Marine Division.
U.S. Marine Corps CH-53K King Stallion flies overhead Philippine Marine Corps assault amphibious vehicles during a bilateral amphibious landing during Balikatan 22, at Claveria, Cagayan, on 31-March-2022. Photo Credit: USMC 2ND LT Erin Scudder.
U.S. Marines with 3RD Battalion, 12TH Marines, 3RD Marine Division, deploy High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems during Balikatan 22 in northern Luzon, Philippines, on 4-April-2022. During the training, the HIMARS platoon received real-time targeting data from the 3RD Marine Littoral Regiment combat operations center to prosecute simulated fire missions. The HIMARS provided a ground-based precision fire capability in support of counter-landing operations and serves as a surrogate for the future employment of the Navy Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System. The coastal defense scenario enabled the MLR fires and intelligence sections to integrate with the joint network of sensors and develop a clear common operational picture while a small element of the 3RD Littoral Anti-Air Battalion assisted with the de-confliction of land, air, and maritime traffic to ensure a safe flight path for the simulated missile. This combined interoperability event brought the U.S. Marine Corps and Philippine Marine Corps together with a common mission to bolster the collective defensive capabilities of the alliance. Photo Credit: USMC SGT Melanye Martinez
Photo Credit: USMC by Lance Cpl. Madison Santamaria.
Photo Credit: USMC Sgt. Melanye Martinez.
U.S. Marines move to establish defensive positions at a bilateral amphibious landing during Balikatan 22, at Claveria, Cagayan. Balikatan is an annual exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and U.S. military designed to strengthen bilateral interoperability, capabilities, trust, and cooperation built over decades of shared experiences. Almost 9,000 marines and sailors from the Philippines and U.S. military joined the exercise, the largest number of combined personnel so far.
Images and narratives compiled by Vicky Viray from U.S. Embassy (Manila); USMC 3RD Marine Division; and Philippine Marine Corps.