RP-US EXERCISE BALANCE PISTON 05-3 SET IN APRIL
  March 29, 2005

The RP-US Exercise dubbed as Balance Piston 05-3 or Joint Combined Exchange Training (JCET) is set to open on April 11, 2005 in Basilan.

The exercise aims to improve interoperability and mil-to-mil relationships of both countries. The U.S. will provide training, security assistance, and cooperation in operations intelligence fusion with the AFP. It also intends to build community relations with the Basilan communities and increase public awareness of U.S. personnel presence in the province.

There will be 225 AFP personnel from the 32nd and 55th Infantry Battalions, and the Special Operations Command (SOCOM) of the Philippine Army and 30 US personnel from the US Special Forces (SF) Group (Airborne) who will participate in conduct of the exercise.

Two Medical Civic-Action Programs (MEDCAP) will also be conducted in Lamitan and Maluso towns in Basilan. Around 50 boxes of medical supplies will be transported to the province. MEDCAPs in Lamitan are scheduled on April 18-19 while MEDCAPs in Maluso are slated on April 21-22. The exercise will end on April 29, 2005.