CAMP GENERAL EMILIO AGUINALDO, QUEZON CITY, Philippines –Exercise Balikatan 2011 kicked off with an opening ceremony at Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo, April 5.
Balikatan is an annual Armed Forces of the Philippines- and U.S.-sponsored exercise celebrating its 27th anniversary since its inception in 1981. U.S. Ambassador Harry K. Thomas Jr., ambassador to the Philippines, U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Francis J. Wiercinski, commander, U.S. Army Pacific, and Undersecretary Erlinda F. Basilio, the acting secretary of foreign affairs for the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Philippines, were among the dignitaries attending the ceremony.
“The Balikatan exercise is vital to maintaining the readiness and interoperability of the U.S. military and the Armed Forces of the Philippines,” said Wiercinski, the U.S. exercise director for Balikatan.
The name, ‘Balikatan,’ means ‘shoulder-to-shoulder’ in Tagalog, the native language of the Philippines. U.S. Marine, Cpl. Joshua G. Eason, from HQ Bn., 3rd Mar Div., a U.S. Army soldier and two AFP members made up the commencement ceremony color guard.
“Once again the armed forces from both nations will come together to exchange knowledge and benefit the many communities of the Philippines with healthcare and improving the quality of life,” said Rear Adm. Victor Emmanuel C. Martir, the exercise director for the Philippines.
During his opening remarks, Thomas discussed the March 11 earthquake and tsunami that struck northern Japan.
Both countries have suffered devastating natural disasters in recent years so understanding and support is needed in times of calamity, said Thomas.
“The recent tragedy in Japan reminds us why Balikatan is so important it is this kind of planning that enables our forces to be effective and respond to a natural disaster and other crises that threaten public health and safety,” he added.
Throughout the next two weeks, as a part of a knowledge exchange, the U.S. Marine Corps and AFP will participate in bilateral field training exercises as well as civil military operations and humanitarian assistance in order to better prepare for future operational relief commitments between the two nations.
Training events will include military operations in urban terrain, non-lethal weapons training, martial arts, combat life-saving training and live fire exercises.
“The purpose is to work on being interoperable and increase the capacity to plan and execute tactical operations. We will focus on building relationships with our Filipino partners and working on common solutions to complex problems,” said Col. Stephen M. Neary, commanding officer of U.S. Marine Forces for the exercise.
Closing the ceremony, Martir said, “Our partnership here in Balikatan will surely be a memorable one as we commit ourselves in the interest of peace, stability and development.”
U.S. Marine Forces are a Marine Air Ground Task Force comprised of units from III Marine Expeditionary Force is participating in this year’s exercise. The command element is staffed by 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III MEF.
Marines and sailors from Headquarters Battalion and Combat Assault Battalion, both with 3rd Mar Div., make up the Ground Combat Element.
Combat Logistics Battalion 4, Combat Logistics Regiment 3, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III MEF, makes up the Logistics Combat Element.