CLARK AIR BASE, Philippines - Exercise Balikatan 2015, between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and U.S. Armed Forces, officially ended here, April 30.
Balikatan 2015 is an annual bilateral training exercise aimed at improving the ability of Philippine and U.S. military forces to work together during planning, contingency, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations. Altogether, approximately 6,500 U.S., 5,000 AFP and 70 Australian Defense personnel participated in this year’s Balikatan.
“For over 30 years, our militaries have come together in this beautiful country to train ‘shoulder to shoulder’,” said Lt. Gen John A. Toolan, commander U.S. Marine Corps forces Pacific. “More importantly, we build bonds and friendships that are not only personally rewarding, but make us more effective militaries.”
Together, while aiming to enhance their civic assistance and combined capabilities, the forces achieved countless real-life humanitarian civic assistance projects to bring medical, veterinary and engineering projects to the people of the Philippines.
“Training together, we grow, we improve, we gain shared understanding, and we contribute to making our world secure, stable, and prosperous,” Toolan added.
In Palawan, military leaders conducted a staff exercise where they practiced solving complex crisis response scenarios. The experience gained through these types of interactions between multinational forces can be applied during disaster response situations and natural disasters.
During the length of the exercise, U.S. and AFP forces exchanged and practiced a variety of skills ranging from amphibious landings and jungle survival training to air operations. The training culminated at the final event, the combined arms live fire exercise, where the AFP and U.S. military carried out a synchronized assault on an objective and the Philippine forces showcased their joint rapid reaction force.
“The amphibious assault proved the need for military operations such as this; it has helped prove the effectiveness of our forces together in amphibious assaults and capabilities in humanitarian assistance,” said Army Gen. Gregorio Pinoi Catapang, chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
Considered a success, senior military leaders highlighted the strides the exercise has taken over many years during the closing ceremony of Balikatan's 31st iteration.
“I encourage everyone to build on the personal relationships you established during Balikatan, keeping in contact with your friends and counterparts,” said Toolan. “Build on what you have learned together and continue to forge stronger and closer bonds.”
Toolan also said he believes that the combined capability and friendships that were built during the exercise will serve both nations well as they move forward, together.