At least 8,900 members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the US military are teaming up for Balikatan 2022, the US Embassy in the Philippines said Tuesday, March 22.
It will be the largest-ever iteration of the Philippine-led annual exercise, the US Embassy in Manila said.
It will take place around Luzon from March 28 to April 8.
The 3,800 AFP members and 5,100 US military personnel will train shoulder-to-shoulder focusing on maritime security, amphibious operations, live-fire training, urban operations, aviation operations, counterterrorism, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.
“Balikatan is a critical opportunity to work shoulder-to-shoulder with our Philippine allies toward a ‘free and open Indo-Pacific that is more connected, prosperous, secure, and resilient,’ as our Indo-Pacific Strategy calls for. The US is proud to continue our participation in this long-standing exercise,” said US Embassy in the Philippines Chargé d’Affaires ad interim Heather Variava.
Maj. Gen. Jay Bargeron, 3rd Marine Division commanding general said that during Balikatan, the US military and AFP will train together to expand and advance shared tactics, techniques, and procedures that strengthen both sides' response capabilities and readiness for real-world challenges.
"The friendship and trust between our forces will enable us to accomplish any mission across the spectrum of military operations," Bargeron said.
The exercise also includes a command post exercise that tests the AFP and US forces’ ability to plan, command, and communicate with each other in a simulated environment. The training is expected to bolster the collective security and defensive capabilities of the alliance.
“Exercise Balikatan is a testament to the strength of the Philippines and United States’ security relationship. The experience gained in the exercise complements our security cooperation endeavors and will help to enhance existing mutual security efforts," said Maj. Gen. Charlton Sean Gaerlan, AFP Exercise Director for Balikatan 22.
The AFP and US military will also conduct multiple humanitarian and civic assistance projects during this year’s Balikatan, 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 improve local infrastructure, facilitate the exchange of lifesaving medical skills, and strengthen ties between Philippine communities and Philippine and American military forces.