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Foreword

Regional Response Forces  ::

VALIANT SHIELD:
Building Trust and Security

GREEN LIGHTNING: Providing Security in the Asia-Pacific Region

Transnational Operations ::

KHAAN QUEST 2006:
Enhancing Multinational Peacekeeping

Humanitarian Support ::

USNS Mercy Bringing Hope to Asia-Pacific Nations

C-17 Aircraft Marking A New Airlift Era in the Pacific

New Zealand Defence Force Providing Security and Reconstruction in Afghanistan

From BALIKATAN to Mudslide Relief

Happenings ::

Happenings

Search and Rescue Operations End
AFP and U.S. forces ended the weeklong search and rescue operation on 25 February at the direction of the governor of Leyte Island, who declared an end to the search and rescue operations. “We left . . . there’s no one alive to rescue,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Chuck Metrolis.

Reconstruction
With the Government of the Philippines in the lead, Philippine and U.S. agencies, international organizations, and non-governmental organizations assumed the primary responsibility for ongoing relief activities, paving the way for the recovery and reconstruction efforts that lie ahead. A U.S. military transition team remained in St. Bernard to assist with coordinating long-term recovery and reconstruction in the stricken area. “One of the goals of the transition team is to assist the Philippine government and the other agencies in providing temporary evacuation facilities that will allow the schools here to reopen,” said U.S. Marine Maj. Alison L. Daly.

Also in St. Bernard, the U.S. Marines and sailors conducted a community service project with the children at St. Bernard Central Elementary School. “We brought in school supplies, uniforms, and clothing for the children,” said Maj. Daly. “The support we are providing will help over 140 families.”

Exercise Events
Exercise BALIKATAN 2006 had three phases: humanitarian and civic assistance on the island of Jolo in Sulu, a combined task force staff exercise in Cebu, and cross-training and field-training exercises in Luzon.
Both forces’ physicians and medical personnel, along with local volunteers, provided free medical, dental, and veterinary services at Panamao High School, Notre Dame of Jolo School for Girls, Mindanao State University, Jolo Agricultural Center, and Sultan Mohammed High School.
Construction activity included school buildings and comfort rooms at Sulu High School, Maimbung High School, and Tiptipon School. The U.S. Agency for International Development’s Computer Literacy and Internet Connection Program, supported by partner civilian organizations, such as the 3P (Promotion of Peace and Prosperity of the Philippines) Foundation and Knightsbridge, donated new student and teacher desks, chairs, textbooks, chalkboards, computers, Internet access, and sports equipment to the schools.

Philippine-U.S. Forces Train Together On Black Hawks
A Black Hawk helicopter lifts off a nearby ridge and makes a steep turn toward another nearby hilltop. Onboard, a U.S. Special Forces member playing the role of a sniper waits patiently for the opportune moment to shoot his target. This was the scene at Crow Valley gunnery range near Clark Air Base, as AFP Special Forces trained alongside their American counterparts.

Wearing a uniform with empty Velcro panels where nametags, rank, and insignia would normally appear and sunglasses to conceal his identity, the U.S. Special Forces member shared how working with allies can be beneficial. “BALIKATAN 2006 allows collective units [American and Filipino forces] to gain working relationships both personally and professionally with each other,” he said.

The helicopter takes to the sky again and makes yet another run at the targets on the ground in the valley below. Philippine Special Forces personnel take aim and the sound of their weapons echo off the hills surrounding the valley. “I appreciate the Americans coming here on this exercise and giving me experience sniping from the helicopter,” said a Philippine Special Forces member. “We don’t get that opportunity very often.”

Light Infantry Tactics
AFP and U.S. soldiers exchanged light infantry combat tactics on the parade field at Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija. “We know how to react as the U.S. Army, but now we’re learning how to react with our Philippine Army brothers,” said U.S. Army SPC Martin Gifford. “It’s an incredible experience. We actually have a lot in common.”
Philippine Army 1st. Lt. Bernard Quiamjot said he welcomes the things U.S. soldiers bring to their training. “This is just training,” he said. “But the difference is – we have our comrades here with us to share ideas.”

“Sulu Smile” Medical Civic Action Project
Philippine medical staff and volunteer surgical teams conducted “Sulu Smile,” a combined Medical Civic Action Project at Sulu Provincial Hospital in Jolo, with assistance from the U.S. Army. The surgeons and medics came from the University of the Philippines, Philippine General Hospital, regional health authorities, the AFP, and volunteer surgical teams in Manila.

U.S. Army soldiers provided the Philippine surgeons with logistical support, including surgical supplies and an inhalation anesthesia machine. A U.S. Army doctor, who helped care for patients, gave first aid instruction to 20 AFP medics and 82 healthcare volunteers.

The Philippine surgeons performed more than 90 surgeries, such as hernia repair and minor tumor removal, and provided free dental and medical care to all ages. Philippine Air Force Lt. Col. Jojo Acosta, a reservist and reconstructive surgeon, performed 27 corrective surgeries for those suffering from common facial birth defects like cleft lip and cleft palate.

Several medical assistance projects took place throughout Sulu during Exercise BALIKATAN 2006. An estimated 800 to 1,200 Filipinos received free medical and dental attention during each project.

Jolo Civic Action Projects
After AFP Brig. Gen. Alexander Aleo, Commander, Joint Task Force Comet, opened the Jolo civic action projects, Sulu Provincial Governor Benjamin T. Loong told attendees, “On behalf of the people of Sulu, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the U.S. forces for bringing development to our province. More than three decades ago, since the declaration of martial law, since 1972, our people have been through a lot of hard times. Our people are tired of war; our people now want peace and prosperity.”

“It is now time to show the world, from Manila to Washington, D.C., that the people of Jolo are ready for development,” said U.S. Army Col. James Linder, Commander, Joint Special Operations Task Force – Philippines. “We are here today to wage peace in BALIKATAN.” Col. Linder was referring to Islamic terrorists who operate in the Muslim areas of the Southern Philippines, including Sulu province.

Col. Linder explained that the civil-military operations would improve the schools and hospitals, give medical care to those who desperately need it, provide veterinary care for livestock, and clean drinking water by digging wells. “We are here for the most noblest of things – for one man to lend a hand to another,” he said. “We are here to stand shoulder to shoulder with the AFP and the people of your communities.”

AFP personnel, together with U.S. Navy Seabees and Marines, constructed two elementary school buildings in Jolo. When completed, the new buildings will have desks, computers, and Internet access. “This is how we win the war on terror,” said U.S. Marine Brig. Gen. Mastin Robeson during his visit to the construction site. “We do it by befriending and embracing our partners in places of the world like the Philippines to create a safe and secure environment, so that increased economic growth and development can flourish from within.”

Closing Ceremony
During the closing ceremony, Governor Loong conveyed his gratitude to the American people, their sons and daughters serving in the U.S. military, and Filipino-Americans. “We will not forget you,” he said. “We really need your help in transforming Sulu from a war zone to an economic zone. You are always welcome in Sulu.”

Challenges included work delays and terrorist threats. A few days before the official start of the exercise, an explosion killed a Filipino contract worker outside the gates of an AFP camp where some U.S. service members were staying. Equipment and tools arriving late to at least one work site provided another challenge. The AFP elevated security due to information of a possible attack by suicide bombers.

Despite the challenges, the Philippine community received needed medical care, both forces completed joint military training and construction projects, and Filipino and American service members forged new friendships. “I am proud of what we have accomplished standing shoulder to shoulder,” said U.S. Army Col. James Linder, Commander, Joint Special Operations Task Force - Philippines. “I am honored to take the hand of friendship from the people of this magnificent island.”

While BALIKATAN 2006 closed in Jolo, Project Bayanihan, an agreement under the Republic of the Philippines-U.S. Mutual Defense Treaty, other humanitarian and civic action programs continue in Mindanao. Ongoing Bayanihan activities are the cooperative efforts of the AFP Southern Command, the U.S. Joint Special Operations Task Force-Philippines, and non-profit organizations.

Conclusion
Many senior Filipino civilian government and military members made the helicopter flight out to the USS Essex to thank the crew. Avelino Cruz, then Philippine Secretary of National Defense, thanked the sailors and Marines for their participation in humanitarian assistance/disaster relief operations. “On behalf of the Philippine Government and the Philippine people, let me extend our appreciation and thank you for your help. This is a clear example of the close alliance between our countries, as it has been for more than a century,” he said. “What you did to help us in the recovery effort will remain in the hearts of all Filipinos for years to come.”

While aboard the USS Essex in early March 2006, Admiral William J. Fallon, Commander, U.S. Pacific Command, thanked the crew and embarked U.S. Marines for their hard work during the mudslide-relief efforts. “The significance to me is the term shoulder to shoulder, because that’s what happened down here in Leyte,” he said. “Filipino Armed Forces’ men and women standing ‘shoulder to shoulder’ with U.S. people to try to get the job done. And it is necessary, I believe, to have this mix of capabilities to show the true measure of the American people’s commitment to the people [of the Philippines]. And to ensure that people really understand that we come here in fact trying to do our best for people in this part of the world and that men and women in uniform are superbly suited to carry that message. So I salute you again for your terrific work. We remember those lost, and we will strive to do our utmost to set the conditions to prevent this kind of tragedy from happening again.”

BALIKATAN 2007:
Fostering Multinational Interoperability and Counter-terrorism Capabilities
BALIKATAN 2007 is to include a staff exercise, humanitarian and civic assistance, and civil military operations. Australia, Indonesia, and Malaysia plan to send observers. 
BALIKATAN fosters interoperability and enhances the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) counter-terrorism capabilities. The exercise also reinforces the U.S. Pacific Command’s Theater Security Cooperation objectives, and ensures that non-government organizations participate with AFP and U.S. forces in civil military activities.

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