WESTMINCOM: Philippine, U.S. Forces Conclude 37th Exercise Balikatan

Posted to the Western Mindanao Command (WESTMINCOM) Facebook Page (Apr 8, 2022): Philippine, U.S. Forces Conclude 37th Exercise Balikatan

Armed Forces of the Philippines

Philippine, U.S. Forces Conclude 37th Exercise Balikatan

CAMP AGUINALDO, Quezon City – Members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the U.S. military successfully completed the 37th iteration of the Exercise Balikatan on Friday, April 8.
Nearly 9,000 Filipino and American service members trained shoulder-to-shoulder from the northern coast of Luzon to Palawan over the last two weeks, focusing on maritime security, amphibious operations, live-fire training, urban operations, aviation operations, counterterrorism, and humanitarian assistance and disaster response.

Present in the closing ceremony held at the AFP General Headquarters in Camp Aguinaldo were General Andres C Centino, AFP Chief of Staff; Major General Charlton Sean M Gaerlan, PH Exercise Director; Brigadier General Joseph Clearfield, US Exercise Director Representative; and Defense Undersecretary Cardozo Luna.

 
“This year’s Balikatan is a testament to the resiliency of the Philippines-United States alliance as we remain strong partners even after the various challenges we have encountered in the past two years,” said General Centino.

 
“The experience gained from the Exercise Balikatan complimented our security cooperation endeavors and help enhance existing mutual security efforts. Although there were limitations brought about by the pandemic, it is highly commendable that the exercise pushed through and generated a favourable outcome,” said MGen Gaerlan.

 
The U.S. Embassy in the Philippines Chargé d’Affaires ad interim Heather Variava attended as Guest of Honor and Speaker.

 
“After two years of a global pandemic, U.S. and Philippine forces have come together to complete one of the largest Balikatan exercises ever held. This is a testament to the strength of the U.S.-Philippine alliance and the shared priorities of our countries,” said Ms Variava.

 
Read more: https://www.afp.mil.ph/.../1326-philippine-u-s-forces...
Photos by TSg Randulf Obinque PAF/PAOAFP

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