A US Navy official said on Wednesday that Exercise Balikatan activities launched ahead of the joint military exercise with the Armed Forces were engineering projects.
MCC Jason A. Penny, Public Affairs chief of the United States Navy (USN), said the engineering projects for Balikatan started a month prior to the military exercise’s formal opening on April 5.
This is “to ensure they will meet highest quality and safety standards and can be turned over to the communities before the closing ceremony,” Penny said.
The annual Philippines-US military bilateral training exercise and humanitarian assistance engagement are expected to end on April 17.
The USN said the projects will be implemented in Zambales, particularly in the town of San Narciso.
On Tuesday the USN and US Marine Corps offloaded more than 270 tactical and amphibious assault vehicles in Subic Bay, Zambales.
American troops from the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, III Marine Expeditionary Force, offloaded a High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle from the container and roll-on, roll-off ship USNS 1st Lt. Jack Lummus on March 21.
The annual military exercise is a combined joint military exercise based on the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty.
Col. Arnulfo M. Burgos Jr., military spokesman, earlier said more than 8,000 soldiers from the Armed Forces and the US military are set to participate in Exercise Balikatan 2013.
Burgos added that a multinational maritime security discussion hosted by the Philippines would also be held and participated in by military officers from six countries.
Penny said the US and Philippine military units aim to accomplish the following: eight engineering civic action projects; six cooperative health engagements; eight community relations (ComRel) activities; five subject matter expert exchanges; and, two medical ComRel activities.
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