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Brig. Gen. Emmanuel Teodosio, Commander of the Philippine forces in the exercise, describes BALIKATAN’s successes to members of the media. Photo by SPEC Jerry T. Combes, USA.

U.S. Marine volunteers help feed the elderly at the Bahay Pag elderly home. Later, they planted banana trees and did chores. Photo by SPEC Jerry T. Combes, USA

Exercise BALIKATAN 2002-02 provided new insights and lessons in the many aspects of combined and joint operations, preparing both nations’ forces to deal effectively with real-world contingencies, including terrorism.

At the closing ceremony on 6 May, Brig. Gen. Emmanuel Teodosio, Commander of the Philippine forces in BALIKATAN 2002-02, hailed the exercise a success. As quoted in the Philippine Star on 7 May, Brig. Gen. Teodosio told attendees at the ceremony, "We are talking about increasing the involvement of the Americans into about a brigade-sized contingent, which should be at least two battalions. BALIKATAN served as an excellent opportunity for our armed forces to train and familiarize themselves with the operation of modern equipment and weapons."