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Exercise BALIKATAN 2004 brought Philippine and U.S. forces together for a series of exercises that strengthen interoperability between the two forces. Here, Philippine and U.S. Marines and sailors assault Dingalan Bay beach during the amphibious phase of the exercise.
Photo by SSgt. Nathan L. Hanks, Jr., USMC |
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Thank You -- the American and the Philippine Armed Forces -- for this wonderful partnership of teaching each other how to make our lives safer for the Philippines and the world.
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
Republic of the Philippines
BALIKATAN, an annual combined/ joint Republic of the Philippines (RP)-U.S. exercise, focuses on improving combined planning, combat readiness, and interoperability between the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and U.S. forces. The two-week long BALIKATAN 2004, held 23 February to 7 March 2004, was one of several ongoing activities conducted under the RP-U.S. Mutual Defense Treaty.
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U.S. Marines unload an AH-1W Cobra helicopter for use in Exercise BALIKATAN 2004 from the West-Pac Express, a high speed vessel, in Subic Bay, Philippines.
Photo by LCpl. Cory Yenter, USMC |
Other activities included assisting the AFP’s comprehensive defense reform and U.S. security assistance training modules for counterterrorism, helicopter night capability, and intelligence fusion. There were also subject matter expert exchanges and advice and support for logistics, engineering, equipment, maintenance and civil military operations provided under the U.S. International Military Education and Training program.
About 2,300 AFP and 2,500 U.S. forces participated in Exercise BALIKATAN 2004. The primary participants were Philippine Marines and soldiers from the AFP’s Western Command augmented by the Philippine Air Force (PAF), and U.S. Marines of the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade assisted by U.S. Navy sailors and U.S. Air Force (USAF) air crews and aircraft.
During the opening ceremony for the 20th BALIKATAN exercise at Camp Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo in Quezon City, AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Narciso L. Abaya said, “The events we have planned for this year’s BALIKATAN will go a long way in deepening our security ties and the friendships between two peoples.” the Tagalog word “balikatan” comes from the term “balikat” or shoulder which among Filipinos is synonymous with carrying a burden. So “balikatan” means “sharing the load together.
Gen. Abaya said he hoped the exercise would also convey a message of security and interdependence not only between the Philippine and U.S. forces but also to neighboring countries in the region.
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U.S. Marine Amphibious Assault Vehicles land on Ternate Beach during an amphibious landing rehearsal as part of the exercise.
Photo by JO2 Robert N. Sealover, USN |
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Compiled by Asia-Pacific Defense FORUM staff from Combined Information Bureau BALIKATAN 2004 press releases by PO Lou Rosles, USN; TSgt. Theo McNamara, USAF; LCpl. Ryan Walker, USMC; Cpl. Trevor M. Carlee, USMC; PO1 Mark OverStreet, USN; LCpl. Thomas Hudzinski, USMC; and by MSgt. Val Gempis, USAF, assigned to Air Force Print News.
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