Exercise Balikatan 25, the largest annual bilateral exercise conducted between the Philippines and the U.S., commenced with an opening ceremony today.
Military officials and diplomats from the Philippines, United States, Japan, Australia, and other countries watching the event acknowledged the beginning of the 40th iteration of the yearly drill. Balikatan’s growing list of like-minded countries shows a strong worldwide commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific, so attesting to the unshakeable alliance and long friendship between the Philippines and United States.
U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. James F. Glynn, U.S. exercise director and Commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Pacific, set the tone for the ceremony in his opening remarks as one to honour cooperative training.
“We have over 14,000 participants and over 20 countries invested in what is now a signature exercise,” said Glynn. “Operating shoulder to shoulder over the course of the next several weeks, we will be able to demonstrate our ability to preserve peace for the good of all nations in the region.”
While bilateral logistics operations and humanitarian civic aid projects started before the opening ceremony, this year’s Full Battle Test starts this week.
“We will assess our readiness in all domains—air, land, sea, cyber, information and the emerging frontier of space—through comprehensive exercises that integrate tactical precision with strategic foresight,” said Philippine Army Gen. Romeo S. Brawner Jr., chief of staff, Armed Forces of the Philippines. “Over the decades, this exercise has deftly responded to changing threats, extending its scope and increasing its relevance, so proving that real partnerships not only survive but also constantly flourish.”
Exercise Balikatan guarantees our forces are tactically competent, modernising mutual capabilities, and improving military-to–military coordination, so directly supporting the U.S.-Philippine Mutual Defence Treaty.
“For decades our countries have stood together, bound by shared values, a commitment to peace, and a vision for a free, open Indo-Pacific,” said Mary Kay L. Carlson, U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines. “This exercise celebrates trust, friendship, and group will to meet the challenges of our times, not only a military endeavour.”
Tagalog phrase “balikatan,” which means “shoulder-to–shoulder,” captures the attitude of the exercise and symbolises the cooperation between the United States and the Philippines.
