The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the United States Armed Forces have “grown closer together” as they conclude the 37th iteration of the Balikatan Exercises at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City on Friday, April 8.
Around 8,900 Filipino and American service members trained shoulder-to-shoulder from the northern coast of Luzon to Palawan since March 28 in what was dubbed as the biggest version of the Philippine-led war games.
“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 Andres Centino, AFP Chief of Staff.
During the course of the two-week exercises, the participating soldiers worked on enhancing their interoperability in maritime security, amphibious operations, live-fire training, urban operations, aviation operations, counterterrorism, and humanitarian assistance and disaster response.
Brigadier General Joseph Clearfield, US Exercise Director representative and deputy commander of the US Marine Corps Forces Pacific, said the completion of Balikatan 2022 was a “clear example” of both Philippines and US 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,” Clearfield said.
More than 50 aircraft, four ships, 10 amphibious craft, four High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HMARS) launchers, and four Patriot missile systems were utilized during the Balikatan 2022. This year’s exercise also included approximately 40 personnel from the Australian Defense Force.
The participating troops successfully executed 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.
Meanwhile, an amphibious exercise in Cagayan strengthened the service members’ ability to conduct and develop interoperability in amphibious operations.
The AFP and US 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.
The 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, said US Chargé d’Affaires ad interim Heather Variava.
“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,” Variava said.
Also present during the closing ceremony were Major General Charlton Sean Gaerlan, Philippines Exercise Director; and Department of National Defense (DND) Undersecretary Cardozo Luna.