CAMP AGUINALDO, Quezon City -- The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) celebrated the 11th founding anniversary of its Office for Strategic Studies and Strategy Management (OSSSM) today here, underscoring the vital role the office plays in shaping institutional decisions, driving reforms, and reinforcing strategic insight within the organization.
Philippine and United States Army personnel participating in Exercise Balikatan 40-2025 came together at the Naval Education, Training and Doctrine Command (NETDC) in Zambales, for a joint formation and activity briefing on April 22, 2025. The early morning event set the stage for a day of collaborative training, emphasizing unity, coordination, and shared mission objectives.
Following the formation, troops from both nations launched into the Subject Matter Expert Exchange (SMEE), focusing on familiarization with the premier shoot-on-the-move air defense platform — the Avenger Air Defense System and its primary armament, the FIM-92 Stinger missile. The Avenger, a highly mobile, short-range air defense system, integrates eight ready-to-fire Stinger missiles mounted on a Humvee, providing rapid target engagement against low-flying aircraft, helicopters, and unmanned aerial systems. The Stinger missile, known for its infrared homing guidance and fire-and-forget capability, allows operators to quickly neutralize aerial threats with high precision.
This exchange strengthens tactical synchronization, enhances combined operational readiness, and demonstrates the enduring interoperability and mutual commitment of both forces to regional security and defense preparedness.
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.
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