Balikatan 2026: Task Force Saber Projects Military Power by Conducting a Long-Range Maritime Air Assault

PHILIPPINES

04.23.2026

Video by Sgt. Olivia Cowart 

25th Combat Aviation Brigade

Task Force Saber, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, conducts a long-range maritime air assault during Exercise Balikatan 2026 from Cagayan North International Airport, Lal-lo, to Itbayat, to Basco, Philippines, April 23, 2026. The operation employs AH-64 Apaches, CH-47 Chinooks, and UH-60 Black Hawks aircraft to showcase the Army’s ability to project military power across extended maritime distances. The air assault enables Soldiers assigned to the 54th Infantry “Magilas” Battalion, 5th Infantry Division, and Australian Army soldiers assigned to 5th/7th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, to conduct bilateral training. 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. Army video by Sgt. Olivia Cowart)

~Timestamps~
(00;00;00;00) AH-64 Apache formation takes off.
(00;00;49;27) UH-60 Black Hawk loads service members and takes off.
(00;01;42;20) CH-47 Chinook formations take off while dust kicks up.
(00;02;28;28) U.S and Filipino Soldiers stage and load gear onto UH-47 Chinook.
(00;03;42;34) Various shots of crew chief and service members observing surroundings.
(00;04;06;28) CH-47 Chinook flying over open ocean.
(00;04;40;47) Partner forces rapidly exiting and unloading supplies from helicopters on Itbayat.
(00;06;24;44) CH-47 Chinook crew's fuel at Marine managed Forward Arming and Refueling Point (FARP) on Basco.

• Date Taken: 04.23.2026
• Date Posted: 04.28.2026 05:59
• Category: B-Roll
• Video ID: 1004251
• VIRIN: 260423-A-XD912-8753
• Filename: DOD_111660767
• Length: 00:07:08
• Location: PH