MANILA, Philippines – Troops from the Philippines and United States participated in various exercises under Balikatan 2025, the flagship bilateral war games between the two treaty-allies.
During drills from April 25 to 26, the two militaries partook in the following:
Gunnery Exercise (GUNNEX) on April 25 at 21 nautical miles west of the coast of San Felipe, Zambales under the Multilateral Maritime Event (MME)
Fire drill, first aid response, and casualty evacuation exercise, also on April 25 off waters of San Felipe, Zambales
Subject Matter Expert Exchange (SMEE) between the 960th Air and Missile Defense Group of the Philippine Air Force and US Marine Corps’ 3rd Littoral Anti-Air Battalion and the US Army’s 35th Air Defense Artillery. The units, said the Armed Forces of the Philippines, “focused on potential integration of the US Marine Air Defense Integrated System (MADIS) and Avenger systems with the PAF’s SPYDER system”
Division Tactics (DIVTACS) drill on April 26 between the navies of the Philippines and the United States
A Philippine Navy personnel aboard BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PS16) keeps watch during the Gunnery Exercise of MME at San Felipe, Zambales on April 25.Philippine Navy personnel aboard BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PS16) conducts a communication check during the Gunnery Exercise of MME at San Felipe, Zambales on April 25.Philippine Navy personnel aboard BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PS16) operate a .50 caliber gun during a surface target shoot as part of the Gunnery Exercise of MME at San Felipe, Zambales on April 25.FF150 personnel administer immediate first aid during a simulated medical emergency.FF150 personnel spring into action during a shipboard fire simulation, reinforcing crew discipline and emergency response under pressure.Philippine and US members stand united with the SPYDER, MADIS, and Avenger systems—symbols of growing interoperability and shared commitment to regional defense.Personnel from the Philippine Air Force’s 960th Air and Missile Defense Group engage in technical discussions with US Marine Corps counterparts during the MADIS SMEE in Zambales.US Army personnel explain the capabilities of the Avenger Air Defense System to PAF personnel during the joint exchange in Zambales.A joint team photo captures the spirit of camaraderie and cooperation at Balikatan 40-2025 SPYDER SMEE activityFilipino air defense personnel from the 960AMDG share their operational expertise on the SPYDER system.BRP APOLINARIO MABINI (PS36) with USS Savannah (LCS 28) prepositioning for DIVTACS formations.Philippines and US vessels executing DIVTACS formation; from left to right: BRP RAMON ALCARAZ (PS16), BRP APOLINARIO MABINI (PS36), USS Savannah(LCS 28), BRP GABRIELA SILANG (PCG OPV 8301), and USS Comstock (LSD 45), with a US aircraft tracking above.Philippine and US vessels executing DIVTACS formation; from left to right: BRP RAMON ALCARAZ (PS16), BRP APOLINARIO MABINI (PS36), USS Savannah(LCS 28), BRP GABRIELA SILANG (PCG OPV 8301), and USS Comstock (LSD 45) with a US aircraft taking off from USS Savannah.
The 40th iteration of Balikatan kicked off on April 21 and will continue until the first week of May. Up to 17,000 soldiers, most of them from the United States, will be part of this year’s military exercise, which planners have touted to be the most elaborate and integrated yet.
Soldiers from Japan, Australia, France, and the United Kingdom are expected to join in various drills. Over 19 countries will also be part of Balikatan as observers.
The drills take place as the Philippines continues its switch to territorial and archipelagic defense — a shift from the military’s past focus on internal security.
One of the highlights of this year’s Balikatan is the deployment of the US Marines’ Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System. – Rappler.com