RP, US show teeth to China with expanded war games

From the Daily Tribune (Mar 19): RP, US show teeth to China with expanded war games

As China steps up its claim over the disputed South China Sea (West Philippine Sea), allies the Philippines and United States are set to launch bigger joint war games, with more than 8,000 Filipino and American troops participating in various training in different facilities in the country.

Aside from the huge number of participants, this year Balikatan 2016 (BK16) will involve jet fighters — with the Armed Forces of the  Philippines (AFP) sending its two brand-new FA50 lead-in fighters to exercise with the US Air Force A10 “Thunderbolts and British-made Hawker Hunter.

The AFP will also be sending all its S211 trainer aircraft in the joint war games.
It was gathered that a total of 4,900 US troops and 3,773 AFP personnel will be taking part in BK 16 which will officially open on April 4.

Also, 80 Australian servicemen will be coming as support elements.

In recent years, the waters of the South China Sea have become the stage for a tussle for dominance between Beijing and Washington, the world’s two largest economic and military powers.

The West Philippine Sea is Manila’s term for areas of the South China Sea that it claims as part of Philippine territory, including islands and reefs on the Spratly Islands that it occupies.

Manila’s decision to take its dispute with China to an international tribunal based in the Hague has infuriated Beijing, which insists the matter is outside the court’s remit.
A ruling on the matter is expected before May.

The US Embassy, in a statement, said the 12-day BK16 will involve “rapid reaction” operation between the Filipino and US troops.

“One of the main operations for this year’s exercise will be the implementation of a joint rapid reaction force as part of the distributed operations in the vicinity of Panay, demonstrating the partnered capability in rapid response.,” it added.

Military service members from both countries will also conduct combined simulation supported events and operational events in three main commands of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (Western Command, Northern Luzon Command and Sothern Luzon Command), and other major Philippine military camps such as Crow Valley, Fort Magsaysay, Clark Air Field, Subic Bay, Palawan and Panay to improve their ability to work together, partnering in capabilities and plan follow-on operations.

There will also be humanitarian civil assistance projects throughout Panay and Palawan areas. Preliminary work on community infrastructure projects begins at the end of March.

The US Embassy said BK 16 will demonstrate cooperation and interoperability between the Philippines and the US, consistent with the Mutual Defense Treaty and Visiting Forces Agreement “as we continue our commitment to train, share information and provide support to each other through a range of military operations.”  
“Throughout BK 16, AFP and US forces will work together to enhance maritime law enforcement throughout the Philippines in order to meet annual training requirements, and enhance techniques, tactics, and procedures as a critical part of interoperability of our forces,” it said.

http://www.tribune.net.ph/headlines/rp-us-show-teeth-to-china-with-expanded-war-games