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.

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)

MANILA – The decommissioned World War II corvette, BRP Miguel Malvar (PS-19), will be targeted and sunk in this year’s “Balikatan” exercise.
In a information kit provided to reporters Monday, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said the decommissioned Navy ship will be the target of the “MARSTRIKE” (Maritime Strike) event of the annual military exercise between Filipino and US forces.
The former BRP Miguel Malvar was originally the USS Brattleboro (PCER-852), a rescue patrol craft formerly in service with the US Navy that was transferred to the Philippines in 1976.
Prior to its transfer to the Philippine Navy (PN), the ship was serving the then Republic of Vietnam Navy, having been transferred there in 1966.
The old naval vessel will be sunk by FIlipino and American assets deployed during the event, according to Balikatan assistant exercise director and spokesperson Brig. Gen. Michael Logico.
Possible assets that will be used to sink the World War II corvette are the Philippine Air Force’s FA-50PH fighter jets and the US military’s F-16s and F-35s, and possibly the F-18s, he added.
Other assets that will be utilized for this event are PN ships equipped with the LIG Nex 1 C-Star sea skimming surface-to-surface anti-ship cruise missile system.
The MARSTRIKE will be held on May 5 off the Naval Education Training Command in San Antonio, Zambales province.
In May 8, 2024, the missile frigate BRP Jose Rizal fired and sank the ex-PN tanker BRP Lake Caliraya using its C-Star anti-ship cruise missile system off Laoag City, Ilocos Norte province during last year’s “Balikatan” exercise. (PNA)

MANILA – Filipino troops were briefed and familiarized by their American counterparts on the capabilities of the Avenger Air Defense System, considered the premier “shoot-on-move” US air defense platform.
In a statement Tuesday, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said this “subject matter expert exchange” (SMEE) took place at the Naval Education, Training and Doctrine Command (NETDC) in San Antonio, Zambales earlier in the day.
The SMEE focused on familiarization with 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, a four-wheel drive military transport vehicle.
This provides rapid target engagement against low-flying aircraft, helicopters, and unmanned aerial systems.
Meanwhile, 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,” the AFP said.
This year’s Balikatan drills kicked off on Monday and ends on May 9.
It is the 40th iteration of the annual exercise between Filipino and American military units. (PNA)