CAMP AGUINALDO, Quezon City -- LtGen Jimmy D Larida, Vice Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (VCSAFP), welcomed LtGen James F Glynn, Commander of U.S. Marine Forces Pacific (MARFORPAC) and U.S. Exercise Balikatan Director, during a courtesy visit held on April 21, here.
AFP, U.S. Forces Launch Balikatan 40-25 with Full-Scale Defense Drill to Strengthen Interoperability
CAMP AGUINALDO, Quezon City -- The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the United States Armed Forces officially launched Exercise Balikatan 40-25 today here, with an opening ceremony that marked the beginning of the most comprehensive iteration of the annual bilateral defense exercise to date. This year’s Balikatan serves as a full-scale defense drill designed to enhance interoperability through realistic, multi-domain training scenarios—demonstrating the continued commitment of both nations to regional peace and security.
A flurry of activities mark the start of the Engineering Civic Action Project (ENCAP) at Brgy Pulong Sampaloc Elementary School in Doña Remedios Trinidad, Bulacan, a key initiative under the Humanitarian and Civic Assistance (HCA) Program of Exercise Balikatan 40-2025.
Through the participation of the Philippine Army’s 522nd Engineer Construction Battalion (522ECB) and the US Air Force’s 356th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Group (356ECEG), the project kicked off with a Ground Breaking ceremony, followed by the conduct of crucial renovation work, including excavation of walkways and replacement of electrical fixtures on April 15, 2025.
This ENCAP underscores Exercise Balikatan's commitment to enhancing military interoperability and providing tangible assistance to local communities, strengthening ties between the Philippines and the United States.
CAMP AGUINALOD, Quezon City -- LtGen Jimmy D. Larida, Vice Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (VCSAFP), welcomed LtGen Michael Cederholm, Commanding General of the I Marine Expeditionary Force, U.S. Marine Corps, and Commander of the U.S. Joint Task Force for Balikatan 40-2025, during a courtesy visit held today, here.
CAMP AGUINALDO, Quexon City -- The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the United States Armed Forces through the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) set to launch Exercise Balikatan 2025, the 40th iteration of the long-standing bilateral defense drill, from April 21 to May 9, 2025, across different locations in the country. This year’s exercise with expanded participation from regional partners, underscores a shared commitment to peace, security, and stability in the Indo-Pacific.
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
All content is in the public domain unless otherwise stated.
ABOUT GOVPH
Learn more about the Philippine government, its structure, how government works and the people behind it.
Copyright © 2023 Armed Forces of the Philippines. All rights reserved.
Designed by ISG, CEISSAFP