CAMP AGUINALDO, Quezon City – Members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the U.S. military successfully completed the 37th iteration of the Exercise Balikatan on Friday, April 8.
Nearly 9,000 Filipino and American service members trained shoulder-to-shoulder from the northern coast of Luzon to Palawan over the last two weeks, focusing on maritime security, amphibious operations, live-fire training, urban operations, aviation operations, counterterrorism, and humanitarian assistance and disaster response.
Present in the closing ceremony held at the AFP General Headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo were General Andres C Centino, AFP Chief of Staff; Major General Charlton Sean M Gaerlan, PH Exercise Director; Brigadier General Joseph Clearfield, US Exercise Director Representative; and Defense Undersecretary Cardozo Luna.
“This year’s Balikatan is a testament to the resiliency of the Philippines-United States alliance as we remain strong partners even after the various challenges we have encountered in the past two years,” said General Centino.
“The experience gained from the Exercise Balikatan complimented our security cooperation endeavors and help enhance existing mutual security efforts. Although there were limitations brought about by the pandemic, it is highly commendable that the exercise pushed through and generated a favourable outcome,” said MGen Gaerlan.
The U.S. Embassy in the Philippines Chargé d’Affaires ad interim Heather Variava attended as Guest of Honor and Speaker.
“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. This is a testament to the strength of the U.S.-Philippine alliance and the shared priorities of our countries,” said Ms Variava.
The U.S. Exercise Director representative who is the U.S. Marine Corps Forces Pacific Deputy Commander said the completion this Balikatan 2022 is a clear example of both militaries’ shared commitment to advancing peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
“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,” BGen Clearfield said.
Philippine and U.S exercise forces employed more than 50 aircraft, four ships, 10 amphibious craft, four High Mobility Artillery 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.
AFP and U.S. exercise forces successfully executed the Combined Arms Live Fire Exercise in Tarlac through ground maneuver, artillery, mortars, and air elements aimed at enhancing joint and combined interoperability and partner capacity during a crisis. The Amphibious Exercise in Cagayan on the other hand strengthened the service members’ ability to conduct and develop interoperability in amphibious operations.
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.///(Photos by TSg Randulf Obinque PAF/PAOAFP)
