CAMP AGUINALDO, Quezon City, Philippines – The Armed Forces of the Philippines hosted the closing ceremony of Exercise Balikatan 2026, May 8, marking the successful completion of the largest annual military exercise between the Philippines and the United States.
The ceremony was a celebration of a successful exercise and a reminder of the shared values that underpin it. This 41st iteration of the exercise proved to be the most expansive Balikatan to date. Five ally and partner nations joined the Philippines and United States – Australia, Japan, Canada, France, and New Zealand – bolstering the shared knowledge, capabilities, and momentum of the exercise from start to finish.
“Balikatan 2026 marked a strategic evolution from a bilateral exercise to a full-scale, multinational mission rehearsal for the defense of the Philippines,” said U.S. Navy Adm. Samuel J. Paparo, commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command. “That growth reflects the security environment. It reflects the sovereign choices of free nations.”
The 19-day exercise highlighted the combat credibility, crisis readiness, and spirit of cooperation forged over decades of U.S.-Philippines bilateral training and reinforced by a growing coalition of like-minded partners and allies.
Combat credibility starts with detailed planning and strategic logistics. Long before the opening ceremony, service members dedicated months to the tactical plans, life support considerations, and safety precautions, paving the way for operations to begin. In March, AFP and U.S. forces, alongside civilian entities, conducted a Maritime Prepositioning Force offload to prepare equipment and sustainment for the exercise, strategically moving items from Mindanao through Subic Bay and onto training areas.
With combat power in position, the combined and joint force conducted complex all-domain live-fire events, enhancing air and missile defense, counter-landing, and maritime security and strike capabilities. These events integrated advanced capabilities into realistic scenarios across the archipelago, demonstrating how combat power becomes credible when applied by a capable, multinational force.
Combat credibility was also on display at sea – the Philippines, United States, Australia, Japan, and Canada conducted a Multilateral Maritime Event off the western coast of Luzon, featuring training inlive-fire gunnery, anti-submarine warfare, and replenishment at sea as well as deck landing qualifications.
“Balikatan was never simply about conducting activities,” said Philippine Army Gen. Romeo S. Brawner Jr., chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. “It was about strengthening the ability to respond together in real, complex conditions. And that matters because in today’s security environment, readiness cannot be improvised.”
Crisis readiness was built as partner forces conducted advanced aeromedical, combat search-and-rescue, and mass casualty training. And readiness was called upon the first day of the exercise when AFP and U.S. forcesresponded to a vehicular accident, extracting multiple injured civilians from a ravine while aviation units coordinated rapid helicopter medical evacuations. Their coordinated response highlights that this year’s events are a product of decades of military cooperation.
Throughout the exercise, the spirit of cooperation extended directly into local communities. At five sites across the archipelago – from Mindanao to Palawan to Northern Luzon – service members worked alongside local leaders, barangay rural healthworkersand community partners to support medical and dental exams, health education, classroom technology, infrastructureprojectsand community engagements tailored to local priorities; lasting impacts of health engagements and engineering projects will provide value to the lives of more than 60,000 Filipinos.
The exercise’s success in enhancing combat credibility, crisis readiness, and the spirit of cooperation represents a shared commitment to regional peace and stability that is the foundation of the 1951 U.S.-Philippine Mutual Defense Treaty, stronger than ever 75 years after signing.
“These anniversaries remind us that our alliance is not merely a matter of treaty obligations. It is a living partnership, designed and strengthened across generations, and grounded in shared values, mutual respect, and common purpose,” said Y. Robert Ewing, chargé d’affaires, a.i., at the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines. “Exercise Balikatan serves as a powerful testament to our alliance in action. It demonstrates our collective commitment to prepare together, alongside other like-minded nations, to deter common threats and uphold a free and open Indo-Pacific.”

CLARK AIR BASE, Philippines – The 317th Airlift Wing arrived at Clark Air Base, Philippines, to provide critical tactical airlift capabilities following the successful execution of Maximum Endurance Operations, in support of Exercise Balikatan 2026, April 17.
This year’s iteration of the longstanding annual exercise coincides with the 75th anniversary of the U.S.-Philippine Mutual Defense Treaty. Designed to strengthen the ironclad alliance and improve combined capabilities, the exercise features more than 17,000 personnel from the Philippines, United States, Australia, Japan, Canada, France, and New Zealand.
To reach the Philippine archipelago, three C-130J Super Hercules aircraft assigned to the 40th Airlift Squadron conducted MEOs to Clark Air Base. By utilizing rotating aircrews and limited fuel stops, these operations significantly reduced transit time and extended the wing’s operational reach, enabling rapid response capabilities across the Indo-Pacific region.
Operating from Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement sites, the 317th AW is delivering personnel, equipment and fuel to austere locations throughout the region. During the exercise, the wing is employing C-130Js equipped with external fuel tanks to facilitate Specialized Fueling Operations, rapid infiltration, and long-range fire support.
“We’re going out to the northern Philippines, to fly into these islands with U.S. Marines and Soldiers while offloading fuel,” said U.S. Air Force Col. Justin Diehl, 317th AW commander. “Our capabilities ensure the Joint Force, along with our allies and partners, can sustain operations without relying solely on maritime logistics.” Diehl further noted the efficiency of these operations, stating, “It used to take days to get fuel to northern islands in the Philippines,” said Diehl. “Our Airmen have reduced that timeline to less than an hour.”
The exercise also highlights a specialized “lift and strike” partnership with the 7th Bomb Wing from Dyess Air Force Base. Integrated into these operations are recent graduates of the 317th AW’s Lethal Expeditionary Airman Development course, a program designed to prepare noncommissioned officers for decentralized operations in contested environments.
This training enables Mission-Ready Airmen to support Agile Combat Employment concepts with a reduced footprint. “Our Airmen prove that not only can the 317th AW deliver assets to some of the most remote landing zones, but that we can do so with NCOs leading and operating at the highest level,” said Diehl. These combined efforts directly support the maintenance of high-level military readiness required to respond to potential crises or contingencies.
Chief Master Sgt. Martin Castillo, 317th AW command chief, emphasized that the wing is focused on executing these operations at scale to strengthen regional deterrence. “A free and open Indo-Pacific remains the objective,” said Castillo. “This is the 317th AW’s third iteration of Exercise Balikatan, and each iteration increases the speed, precision and confidence our Airmen bring to the mission.”
Balikatan is a longstanding annual exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the U.S. military designed to strengthen the alliance, improve combined capabilities and demonstrate a shared commitment to regional security and stability.

Residents of Barangay Villa Reyes, San Narciso, Quezon, Philippines gathered this week as service members from the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the United States provided medical care, shared health education, and supported ongoing construction at the local elementary school as part of Exercise Balikatan 2026, April 7–9.
During the engagement, community members moved between consultation areas and training stations, receiving medical attention, learning CPR techniques and taking part in discussions on preventative health and wellness. AFP service members worked alongside U.S. counterparts, helping ensure each interaction was clearly understood and accessible.
Medical teams conducted more than 350 medical and dental consultations and prescribed 783 medications, reducing the need for many residents to travel outside the barangay for routine services. As 2nd Lt. Jonathan Bautista, a registered nurse with the Philippine Nurse Corps, explained, “the mission is to take care of patients physically, emotionally, and help them however we can.”
Just steps away, construction continued on a two-classroom facility at Villa Reyes Elementary School, a project designed to support approximately 573 students with an improved learning environment. As Cecile Tacson, a teacher at Villa Reyes Elementary School, shared, “we’re grateful that Balikatan provided an opportunity to help our students.”
The engagement extended beyond medical care and construction during the Bundle of Joy ceremony, where service members delivered classroom supplies and spent time with local leaders, educators and families. During opening remarks, Lt. Kevin Gilchrist, a U.S. Navy chaplain assigned to 9th Communication Battalion, I Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force, emphasized that “it is not so much about the gift as it is about the one who is giving and the one who is receiving.”
For the community, the impact is both immediate and lasting. As Alda A. Aballe, principal of Villa Reyes Elementary School, reflected, “May your kindness continue to inspire others.”
Balikatan is a longstanding annual exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and U.S. military designed to strengthen our ironclad alliance, improve our capable combined force, and demonstrate our commitment to regional security and stability. (Story by 1st Lt. Brandon Daniels, Exercise Balikatan )

CAMP AGUINALDO, Quezon City, Philippines – Exercise Balikatan 2026, the 41st iteration of the largest annual bilateral exercise conducted between the Philippines and the United States, commenced with an opening ceremony today.
The ceremony marked the start of the most expansive Balikatan exercise to date with attendance by military officials and diplomats from the seven participating nations – the Philippines, United States, Australia, Japan, Canada, France, and New Zealand. The audience offered a preview of the multilateral cooperation to come and served as a testament to the exercise’s contributions to a free and open Indo-Pacific.
“To our allies and partners, your presence here today sends a clear and unmistakable message that security is shared and that partnership remains our strongest advantage,” said Philippine Army Gen. Romeo S. Brawner Jr., chief of staff, Armed Forces of the Philippines. “When nations stand together, shoulder-to-shoulder, with trust, purpose, and resolve, we are always stronger.”
AFP and U.S. forces began working shoulder-to-shoulder prior to the opening ceremony: logisticians transported, offloaded, and distributed equipment and sustainment across the archipelago in preparation for the exercise while health professionals and engineers completed humanitarian civic assistance projects in barangays. Multilateral operational training across all domains – air, land, sea, space, and cyber – begins this week.
“This realistic and challenging training will not only enhance our interoperability and readiness, it will also forge unbreakable bonds of camaraderie and trust,” said U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Christian Wortman, commanding general of the U.S. joint task force. “These relationships reinforce that the U.S.–Philippine alliance is more than military cooperation—it is a partnership deeply rooted in shared values.”
During the ceremony, leaders unfurled the exercise’s ceremonial flag and service members exchanged patches, reaffirming Balikatan 2026’s foundational importance to more than defense cooperation. Throughout the exercise, AFP, U.S., and partner service members will create positive change to local communities while securing regional peace and prosperity.
“As we begin this exercise, let us remember that we are not only preparing for contingencies – we are building lasting partnerships, strengthening mutual understanding, and reinforcing the bonds that make our alliance resilient,” said Y. Robert Ewing, chargé d’affaires, a.i., at the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines. “The relationships formed here – from senior leaders to individual service members – will endure far beyond this exercise and continue to strengthen our shared future.”
Exercise Balikatan directly supports the 75-year-old U.S.-Philippine Mutual Defense Treaty by ensuring our forces are tactically proficient, modernizing mutual capabilities, and strengthening military-to-military coordination.

MANILA – This year’s “Balikatan” drills showcased “exemplary demonstrations” of joint capabilities between participating Filipino and American military forces, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said on Friday.
“Over the recent weeks, we have witnessed exemplary demonstrations of joint capabilities ranging from live-fire operations and cyber defense to maritime security activities and humanitarian assistance efforts,” he said during his speech at the “Balikatan” closing rites held at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.
About 14,000 Filipino, American, and other allied troops took part in the three-week exercises that began on April 21.
While noting the sterling performances of the participants, Brawner said the most valuable outcome of the exercise has “been the enhanced mutual trust, deeper understanding, and renewed commitment to shared security goals” between the participating nations.
“As we conclude the 40th iteration of Exercise ‘Balikatan,’ I extend my heartfelt congratulations to everyone involved. Your professionalism, discipline, and esprit de corps, from the planners to the front-line personnel, have been instrumental in ensuring the success and significance of this exercise,” Brawner said.
He added that “Balikatan” is not merely a series of military exercises but also a demonstration of enduring partnerships and collaborative resolve.
“It embodies our collective readiness to act in unison, underscoring that our greatest strength lies in unity,” he said.
“Moreover, this exercise reaffirms our dedication to peace, stability, and resilience across the Indo-Pacific Region.”
Aside from boosting the capabilities of the participating nations, “Balikatan” has provided positive effects for humanitarian initiatives, supporting education, delivering medical care, and fostering local development, Brawner said.
“Although these contributions may not make headlines, they are indeed vital to building a stable and inclusive community,” he said.
Brawner noted that allies, observers, and partners in this year’s “Balikatan” have deepened their collective commitment to regional peace and security.
“Today, we are forging not only stronger armed forces, but a more secure world. As we look ahead, may the success of ‘Balikatan’ 40-2025 serve as a foundation for enhanced collaboration, sustained engagement, and greater inclusivity in future exercises, promoting peace, prosperity, and stability in our region and beyond,” he added. (PNA)

MANILA – Modern weapon systems from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and their United States counterparts will be showcased on Monday during “Balikatan” maritime strike drills that will call for the sinking of the decommissioned World War II corvette, the former BRP Miguel Malvar (PS-19).
The target ship will be engaged beyond 12 nautical miles, approximately 30 to 40 nautical miles off the Zambales coast.
“Tomorrow (Monday), we will be sinking (the) former Miguel Malvar. This is the third ship we will be sinking,” Balikatan 2025 spokesperson Brig. Gen. Michael Logico said in a media interview.
The first ship sunk during the history of “Balikatan” took place in April 2023 and involved the decommissioned World War II corvette, the BRP Pangasinan (PS-31).
The other was the retired naval oil tanker, the BRP Lake Caliraya (AF-81), during last year’s exercises.
The AFP will use its FA-50PH fighter jets and A-29B “Super Tucano” attack aircraft and its fast-attack interdictor craft, which will be firing its Spike Non-Line of Sight missiles.
Meanwhile, guided missile frigate BRP Antonio Luna (FF-151) will also be taking part in the drills with its LIG NEX 1 C-Star sea-skimming surface-to-surface cruise missile system.
“(The) US will also be firing, using their air assets, their bombers, their F-16 and F-18 fighter jets,” Logico said. (PNA)

The Philippine Air Force (PAF) demonstrated its combat search and rescue (CSAR) capabilities as part of this year’s “Balikatan” exercise, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said on Tuesday.
The training off Iba, Zambales featured the PAF’s 505th Search and Rescue Group (SRG) alongside their United States counterparts.
The participating units executed realistic CSAR missions, simulating downed aircrew recovery in hostile maritime conditions.
“Utilizing Bell 205A and Super Huey helicopters, PAF personnel performed helocast insertions and hoist extractions, with aerial security. A US C-130J located the survivor and deployed a survival kit, enabling a seamless joint response,” the AFP said in statement.
Aside from the aircraft, a US Marine Corps V-22 Osprey conducted a parallel CSAR operation, highlighting interoperability.
“Post-recovery, the PAF’s S7 aeromedical team provided simulated in-flight treatment before transferring the patient to ground medical personnel at Clark Air Base,” the AFP added.
The complex drills sharpened both nations’ readiness for life-saving missions in contested environments and the vital role of the 505th SRG in national and allied operations. (PNA)

MANILA – Philippine Army (PA) engineers along with their American counterparts have trained together as part of efforts to enhance their capabilities in airfield damage repair (ADR) and explosive ordnance disposal (EOD).
In a statement Tuesday, PA spokesperson Col. Louie Dema-ala said these training activities are part of the ongoing “Balikatan” exercises and involved troops from the Army’s 53rd Engineer Brigade along with US military personnel.
He added that the ADR and EOD training activities started in Cebu last April 21 when “Balikatan” formally started.
The ADR expert exchange focused on lectures on ADR familiarization, crater repair, formworks installation, and crushed stone restoration.
These lectures were followed by simulation exercises in front of the Visayas Command Grandstand.
Subsequently, practical ADR training exercises were conducted at Camp Cadre, Poblacion Medellin, Cebu, where participants had the opportunity to apply the knowledge gained from the lectures and assessments in a realistic field environment.
The annual military drills between Filipino and American units are expected to conclude this May 9.
“ADR and EOD skills are crucial in ensuring mission success as they ensure operational continuity through the rapid restoration of damaged runways and removal of explosive hazards,” Dema-la said.
Meanwhile, 53rd Engineer Brigade commander Brig. Gen. Maynard Camarao described the training exercises as a “strategic investment in readiness, resilience, and friendship” that highlights the enduring value of Philippine-US cooperation in enhancing regional security and strengthening disaster response efforts.
Exercise “Balikatan”, which means “shoulder-to-shoulder” in Filipino, is one of the longest-standing bilateral military exercises between the Philippines and the United States.
The drills aim to strengthen the alliance between the two nations while bolstering combined and joint force capabilities and demonstrating a shared commitment to regional stability in the Indo-Pacific Region. (PNA)

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), in partnership with United States forces, demonstrated synchronized firepower and rapid response as they conducted a high-intensity Counter-landing and Live-Fire Exercise in Barangay Dodan, Aparri, Cagayan on Saturday, a key event under “Exercise Balikatan 40-25.”
The drill simulation highlighted the detection of an Amphibious Task Group representing a threat force attempting to land along the northern coastline.
In rapid response, joint Philippine-US forces executed a coordinated counter-landing operation to prevent them from establishing a foothold in the area, demonstrating combined strength and seamless interoperability.
The Philippine Army and the Philippine Marine Corps mobilized a robust array of assets, including Sabrah battle tanks, Light Armored Vehicles (LAVs), ATMOS 155mm self-propelled howitzers and additional firepower from 105mm howitzers.
Advanced targeting systems such as the Smart Shooter and infantry maneuver elements further amplified the defensive response.
Meanwhile, US forces delivered overwhelming air and ground support. Key assets included AH-64 Apache attack helicopters, F-16 aircrafts, and a P-8A Poseidon aircraft conducting maritime surveillance and reconnaissance.
They also provided real-time targeting through cutting-edge cuing and sensing systems, with direct small-arms support.
Participating Philippine units included the Philippine Marine Corps, Philippine Army, Special Operations Command, Marine Reservists, and the Philippine Air Force, working closely alongside counterparts from the US Marine Corps, US Army, artillery units, and safety teams.
The live-fire drill demonstrated the precision and combat readiness of allied forces and reinforced their shared resolve to protect strategic coastal areas and uphold maritime security in the Indo-Pacific region.