The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the United States Armed Forces formally concluded Balikatan 2025 with a closing ceremony held on May 9, here, marking a major milestone in the 40-year history of the annual joint exercise—its first iteration featuring a comprehensive full-battle test.
The ceremony, was led by Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro Jr., with U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson and AFP Chief of Staff General Romeo S Brawner Jr.
Held from April 21 to May 9, Balikatan 2025 elevated bilateral training to new heights, evolving from traditional drills into a full-spectrum, integrated battle simulation across land, sea, air, cyber, and humanitarian domains. It was the largest and most operationally realistic Balikatan to date, reflecting the deepening defense partnership and shared commitment to regional security.
During the exercise, Philippine and U.S. forces executed a wide array of joint operations under complex battlefield scenarios. Key components included Maritime Key Terrain Security Operations (MKTSO), live-fire and counter-landing exercises, Multilateral Maritime Exercise (MME), Cyber Defense Exercise (CYDEX), and Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD). Filipino troops also received hands-on training in advanced systems such as HIMARS, NMESIS, SPYDER, MADIS, and various integrated air-sea-land platforms.
Beyond combat training, Balikatan 2025 featured humanitarian and civic assistance projects, including medical missions and engineering efforts aimed at improving infrastructure and delivering essential services to local communities.
The exercise also enhanced command and control capabilities through live, virtual, and constructive (LVC) training environments, improving operational coordination and situational awareness. It further strengthened interagency cooperation and regional defense collaboration, with Australia and Japan actively participating in key segments of the exercise.
In his remarks, General Brawner emphasized the strategic importance of Balikatan, “Balikatan is not merely a series of military exercises—it is a testament to our enduring partnership and shared resolve. It embodies our collective readiness to respond as one, highlighting that our greatest strength lies in unity. It also reflects our unwavering dedication to peace, stability, and resilience in the Indo-Pacific region.”
Ambassador Carlson echoed this sentiment, affirming that the successful execution of Balikatan 2025 further strengthened the enduring PH-U.S. alliance and demonstrates a united front in preserving regional peace and security.
As Balikatan 2025 concludes, it marks a new chapter in PH-U.S. defense cooperation, highlighting both nations’ commitment to regional security and mutual readiness. As the most advanced iteration yet, it strengthens partnerships, builds interoperability, and reaffirms our shared goal of peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific.
Photo by PFC Carmelotes/PAOAFP
