links: http://www.afp.mil.ph/index.php/8-afp-news/571-exercise-balikatan-18-closes-today
CAMP AGUINALDO, Quezon City –
The 34th Philippines – United States Exercise Balikatan (BK) officially
ends Friday, May 18, in a closing ceremony attended by high-ranking
defense and military officials from the Armed Forces of the Philippines
(AFP) and United States Armed Forces at the AFP Commissioned Officers
Club, here.
“We close this year’s Balikatan
Exercises with both Philippine and US Forces gained maximum benefits
from the various training exchanges and cooperation. It provided venue
for lot of more learning opportunities but also extended significant
community assistance that gained popular support of less fortunate
people in selected area in Northern Luzon. The BK 2018 manifests our
commitment and responsibility to pursue cooperation and interoperability
of both our forces,” MGen Salamat said.
Around 5,000 Filipino and 3,000 American
soldiers participated in this year’s BK activities that started
mid-April, prior to the opening ceremony last May 9. They took part in a
series of planning and simulation exercises, operational training
events, and civic activities held in the northern part of the
Philippines. Troops from the Australian Defense Force and Japan
Self-Defense Force also joined some of the exercises. Their
participation was under the ambit of the U.S. alliance system.
"Our militaries have grown together in
friendship, provided a benefit to countless people, and are better
prepared to respond as one cohesive team to any crisis or challenge that
may threaten the peace and stability that our alliance has helped to
secure," BGen Weidley said.
The planning and simulation exercises
were held at the Headquarters, North Luzon Command in Camp Aquino,
Tarlac. The trainings focused on the themes of mutual defense,
counterterrorism, and humanitarian assistance and disaster response
during scenarios of calamity, internal conflict, and chemical,
biological, radiological and nuclear attack.
Among the operational training events
successfully conducted were the Amphibious Landing Exercise in San
Antonio, Zambales, and Combined Arms Live Fire Exercise in Tarlac. These
events were aimed at enhancing interoperability of troops in sea to
land operations, as well as actions on ground and in air. Other field
trainings were held in military camps and facilities in Northern Luzon.
A total of five new school buildings
were built by Filipino, U.S., Japanese, and Australian service members
under BK’s civic activities. These one-story, two-classroom buildings
were dedicated to elementary schools in Santa Teresita, Cagayan;
Alibagu, Ilagan City, Isabela; San Antonio, Ilagan Isabela; Calangitan,
Capas, Tarlac; and Cabu, Cabanatuan City. Troops also installed drainage
systems, sidewalks, and water catchment systems within the selected
schools. Medical engagements and spiritual enhancement activities were
also conducted in these areas.
The AFP and U.S. Armed Forces continue
to enjoy a healthy, dynamic, and beneficial partnership through Exercise
Balikatan. This highlights the steadfast commitment of both militaries
towards a more secure Asia-Pacific region.
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