Nearly 9,000 soldiers to join largest-ever Balikatan exercise

A total of 8,900 soldiers are set to participate in the largest-ever Balikatan exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the US military.

In a joint statement on Tuesday, the PH-US Balikatan 2022 said 3,800 AFP members and 5,100 US military personnel will take part in the activities slated for March 28 to April 8.

Filipino and US soldiers will train together in areas such as maritime security, amphibious operations, live-fire training, urban operations, aviation operations, counterterrorism, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

Balikatan 2022 will include a command post exercise that tests the AFP and US forces’ ability to plan, command, and communicate with each other in a simulated environment.

Multiple humanitarian and civic assistance projects will also be implemented such as the renovation of four elementary schools, multiple community health engagements, and the exchange of advanced emergency rescue and lifesaving techniques.

“During Balikatan, the U.S. Military and AFP will train together to expand and advance shared tactics, techniques, and procedures that strengthen our response capabilities and readiness for real-world challenges,” said Major General Jay Bargeron, 3rd Marine Division commanding general.

“The friendship and trust between our forces will enable us to accomplish any mission across the spectrum of military operations,” he added.

The two militaries said the Balikatan exercise, which began in the 1990s, would improve the collective security and defensive capabilities of their alliance.

"Exercise Balikatan is a testament to the strength of the Philippines and United States’ security relationship,” said Major General Charlton Sean Gaerlan, AFP Exercise Director for Balikatan 2022.

“The experience gained in the exercise complements our security cooperation endeavors and will help to enhance existing mutual security efforts,” he added.

US forces will comply with the Philippine government's COVID-19 travel regulations and will maintain social distancing and wear face masks during exercises as operationally feasible, the statement said.

Only 415 AFP personnel and 225 American soldiers participated last year due to the pandemic. — VBL, GMA News