Balikatan 2012 Field Training Exercise strengthens cohesion

Photo By Master Gunnery Sgt. Matthew Holly | (From left to right) Pfc. Emmanuel B. Herrera and Pfc. Aaron B. Taclawan, both from the 50th Infantry Battalion of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, confirm radio frequencies with U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Dana Campbell, an observer controller from 1st Battalion, 196th Infantry Brigade, before heading out on foot patrol to the training sites. The field training exercise for the 28th iteration of Exercise Balikatan.  

FORT MAGSAYSAY, PHILIPPINES

04.16.2012

Story by Gunnery Sgt. Matthew Holly 

Exercise Balikatan       

FORT MAGSAYSAY, Philippines — The field training exercise for the 28th iteration of exercise Balikatan started April 16, as U.S military members and the Armed Forces of the Philippines continued to build upon an already enduring friendship.

It was a humid evening as U.S. Soldiers from 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry Regiment, and AFP Soldiers from the 50th Infantry Battalion set out on foot together, to the training sites at the base here, capturing the true meaning of Balikatan, which is a Filipino term for “shoulder-to-shoulder.”

The FTX involves cross-training exercises aimed at increasing interoperability and the strengthening of the two nation’s longstanding relationship. The training includes humanitarian and disaster relief recovery operations, combat lifesaving, mortar firing and explosive ordinance disposal along with conducting several civic action projects.

“I expect our partnership to definitely develop from this experience,” said U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Dana Campbell an observer controller from 1st Battalion, 196th Infantry Brigade. “They have very good military discipline and are knowledgeable about their job.”

The participants will focus on enhancing their military-to-military cohesion and contingency planning for real-world operations.

“I am very excited to train with the American Soldiers and conduct drills with them,” said Armed Forces of the Philippines Pfc. Aaron B. Taclawan, an infantryman with the 50th Infantry Battalion, who is participating in his first Balikatan.

“They are receptive to what we are teaching them, and they’ve shown us some jungle survival techniques,” Campbell said. “We all have something to learn from each other.”

The U.S. military and the AFP will also be conducting humanitarian civic assistance projects in the surrounding Fort Magsaysay area providing a women’s health clinic, an improvement project at Callos Elementary School in Penaranda, Nueva Ecija, and community movie nights.

Exercise Balikatan helps each respective military maintain a high level of cooperation and represents the U.S. and the Republic of the Philippines’ commitment to promote regional stability through their mutual defense treaty.

• Date Taken: 04.16.2012
• Date Posted: 04.18.2012 03:22
• Story ID: 86901
• Location: FORT MAGSAYSAY, PH