During the last two weeks, almost 9,000 train individuals from the AFP and U.S. navy educated shoulder-to-shoulder from the northern coast of Luzon to Palawan, specializing in maritime safety, amphibious operations, live-fire coaching, city operations, aviation operations, counterterrorism, and humanitarian help and catastrophe reduction.
“After two years of a worldwide pandemic, U.S. and Philippine forces have come collectively to finish one of many largest Balikatan workouts ever held,” stated U.S. Embassy within the Philippines Chargé d’Affaires advert interim Heather Variava. “This can be a testomony to the energy of the U.S.-Philippine alliance and the shared priorities of our international locations.”
U.S. and Philippine train forces employed greater than 50 plane, 4 ships, 10 amphibious craft, 4 Excessive Mobility Artillery Rocket System launchers, and 4 Patriot missile programs throughout Balikatan 22. This 12 months’s train additionally included roughly 40 personnel from the Australian Protection Drive.
“The expertise gained from train Balikatan complemented our safety cooperation endeavors and helped improve current mutual safety efforts,” stated Maj. Gen. Charlton Sean Gaerlan, AFP Train Director for Balikatan 22. “Though there have been limitations led to by the pandemic, it’s extremely commendable that the train pushed via and generated and favorable final result.”
Throughout Balikatan 22, U.S. Army Patriot missile programs have been employed in amphibious operations within the Philippines for the primary time. The train additionally noticed the inaugural deployment of the U.S. Marine Corps’ third Marine Littoral Regiment (3d MLR), which was established in Hawaii on March 3.
AFP and U.S. forces experimented with sensors and hearth assist, and used expeditionary superior bases (EABs) because the framework for an built-in coastal protection. Over the course of eight days, the 3d MLR partnered with the Philippine Marine Corps Coastal Protection Regiment and supplied command and management over a number of EABs throughout northern Luzon. This coastal protection was additional enhanced by two Patriot Missile Batteries from the U.S. Army’s 1st Battalion, 1st Air Protection Artillery Regiment and HIMARS from third Battalion, twelfth Marines.
The U.S. Navy and Philippine Navy performed key roles offering sealift and off-shore assist.
“The completion of yet one more profitable Balikatan is a transparent instance of our shared dedication to advancing peace and stability within the Indo-Pacific area,” stated Brig. Gen. Joseph Clearfield, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Pacific Deputy Commander. “Because of our mutual efforts, our militaries have grown collectively in friendship, and we’re higher ready to reply as one cohesive workforce to any disaster or problem.”
The AFP and U.S. navy additionally performed a number of humanitarian and civic help initiatives, together with the renovation of 4 elementary faculties, a number of neighborhood well being engagements, and the alternate of superior emergency rescue and lifesaving strategies. These building initiatives, well being engagements, and neighborhood relations occasions improved native infrastructure, facilitated the alternate of lifesaving medical expertise, and strengthened ties between native communities and Philippine and American navy forces.
Whereas Balikatan 22 involves a detailed, the AFP and U.S. forces will proceed to coach and stand collectively routinely throughout different workouts and initiatives all year long to advertise readiness, interoperability, friendship, and safety.
