Photo By Eleanor Prohaska | U.S. Marine Corps 1st Lt. James Botelho, 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment, 3rd Low Altitude Air Defense Battalion Liaison Officer, monitors the high-speed aerial target drone launch at the integrated air missile defense exercise at Naval Station Leovigildo Gantioqui, Zambales, Philippines, April 28, 2026, during Balikatan 2026. U.S. Indo-Pacific Command J7 Pacific Multi-Domain Training and Experimentation Capability provided remotely-piloted aerial drones to simulate realistic adversary aircraft or cruise missiles, providing live targets for U.S. and Philippine air defense teams to track and engage. Balikatan is a longstanding annual exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and U.S. military that represents the strength of our alliance, improves our capable combined force, and demonstrates our commitment to regional peace and prosperity. (U.S. Indo-Pacific Command photo by Eleanor Prohaska) see less
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Aerial Drones Elevate IAMD Training for Multinational Forces at Balikatan 2026
ZAMBALES, Philippines— The Integrated Air and Missile Defense exercise April 26-29 during Balikatan 2026 marked a significant step forward in multi-lateral Philippine-Japan-U.S. air defense training, with the use of advanced aerial drones providing unprecedented realism and value for all forces. For the Philippine Air Force, the exercise allowed operators to train with the SPYDER (Surface-to-Air Python and Derby) system in a dynamic, multi-domain environment.
The IAMD exercise is a comprehensive training event designed to enhance the ability of military forces to protect against threats from both the air and missiles. During the exercise, participants simulate real-world scenarios involving incoming aircraft, drones, and missile attacks, working together to detect, track, and respond to these threats. The exercise brings together various units—including radar operators, missile defense teams, and command centers—to practice coordination and decision-making using advanced technology and communication systems.
Unlike smaller unmanned aerial vehicles used in previous exercises, this year’s IAMD exercise featured high-value drones that closely mimic the flight profiles and radar signatures of real-world threats. According to Philippine Air Force Maj. Richmon Jan Cayabyab, battery commander of Surface Air Missile Battery 960th, Air and Missile Defense Wing, these drones provided a substantial leap in training quality.
"It’s helpful for us because we have a chance to track in virtual, live, and constructive environments in a way we can maximize our learning,” said Cayabyab.
According to Cayabyab, PAF operators live-tracked a high-value aerial drone using the SPYDER system during Balikatan 2026.
“Using live radar and simulated missiles, we get enormous training value without spending money on actual missiles," Cayabyab said.
The integration of live, virtual, and constructive environments allowed forces to rehearse detection, tracking, and engagement procedures in a cost-effective manner. In the constructive environment, PAF operators could simulate missile launches and evaluate their tactics without incurring the expense of live munitions.
U.S. Indo-Pacific Command J7 Pacific Multi-Domain Training and Experimentation Capability team coordinated closely with the U.S. Army Threat Systems Management Office and Program Management for Training Devices to bring replicated enemy unmanned aircraft systems to Balikatan 2026. By leveraging TSMO’s expertise in threat-representative target systems and PM TRADE’s technical support for integrating training devices, the J7 PMTEC team ensured the exercise featured realistic, maneuvering drone targets tailored to the operational needs of both U.S. and Philippine forces.
This collaboration enabled high-value, scenario-driven training that significantly enhanced the realism and effectiveness of air defense operations during Balikatan 2026.
According to IAMD exercise lead planner U.S. Marine Corps Master Sgt. David Sheridan, 3rd Littoral Anti-Air Battalion, 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, the advanced aerial drones not only improved technical proficiency but also fostered greater collaboration between Japan, Philippine and U.S. air defense teams.
“The relationships built during this year’s Balikatan exercise surpassed those of previous iterations,” said Sheridan. “Our coordination enabled a level of command and control and mission planning that we had not previously achieved. The trust established between our units and countries allowed us to operate with a degree of integration that was both deliberate and highly effective.”
A key benefit of the high-speed Group 4 unmanned aerial systems is their ability to replicate realistic threat profiles.
“We deliberately adjusted our training approach to reflect evolving threats, employing the target as either an incoming cruise missile or a one-way attack UAS,” said Sheridan. “The results demonstrated that our combined systems, Philippine, American, and Japanese, are capable of effectively neutralizing these threats.”
Sheridan said the U.S. Tactical Air Control Element operated in direct coordination with Philippine Air Force SPYDER Air Defense System units, conducting track correlation, target assignment, and real time data sharing through voice communication to support engagement and decisions.
“This level of integration validated our ability to assign targets across coalition partners and rely on one another to execute engagements with confidence,” said Sheridan. “Overall, we deliberately pushed the limits of flight speed and threat profiles. This was not simply multiple units conducting live fire operations in parallel. It was a fully integrated air defense system operating as a unified force, capable of countering low altitude threats from a near peer adversary. The strength of our relationships between American, Japanese, and Filipino forces has never been greater. We are one team. We are Balikatan.”
Participating U.S. units included Marine Air Control Group 38, 3rd Littoral Anti-Air Battalion, and 12th Littoral Anti-Air Battalion, operating alongside U.S. Army elements from 1-51 and 6-52 Air Defense Artillery.
Balikatan is a Philippine-led longstanding annual exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and U.S. military that represents the strength of our alliance, improves our capable combined force, and demonstrates a shared commitment to regional peace and prosperity.
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