11 March 2011

Philippines: AFP, US SOLDIERS UNITE FOR BALIKATAN 2011

The Philippines is set to amplify its defense relationship with the United States through the participation of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and its fellow military forces from the U.S. in the Balikatan Exercise 2011. This will impart the primacy on training in community development and humanitarian assistance into Filipino and American Soldiers.

The RP-US Balikatan Exercises 2011, on April 5-15, is the 27th in the series of bilateral exercises conducted every year to serve as a venue for joint and combined training between the Philippine and the U.S. militaries.

"The conduct of Balikatan 2011 allows a long and lasting partnership, founded firmly on common heritage, between two freedom-loving countries committed to the preservation of liberty and democracy", AFP Chief of Staff Lt.Gen. Eduardo S.L. Oban Jr. said.

The term "Balikatan" is a Filipino word, which means "shoulder-to-shoulder" and characterizes the philosophy and intent of the exercise.

The military exercises focus on revitalizing the interoperability of the Philippines and US militaries in post-conflict response through the conduct of disaster rehabilitation and rural development projects. These will materialize through Engineering Civic Action Program (ENCAP), Medical Action Program (MEDCAP), Dental Civic Action Program, Veterinary Civic Action Program (VETCAP) and Community Relations (COMREL) activities which will be conducted in Central Luzon.

A total of five barangays will benefit from five ENCAPs in Central Luzon. As part of this year’s interoperability training, Army, AirForce and Navy engineering units of the AFP combined with U.S. engineering forces will be constructing 2-room school buildings in each of the barangays. The vigorous relation between the military and the civilian community will be brought to greater heights through a number of MEDCAP, VETCAP and COMREL activities in these areas.

Also, said combined military training exercises aim to formulate and assess concepts for the Unilateral Defense Plan (UDP) through a Staff Exercise and Command Post Exercise (STAFFEX/CPX) at the Headquarters of Western Command at Camp Ricarte, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan. Furthermore, it also envisions evaluating concepts for transition from UDP to Bilateral Defense Plan (BDP) to Post-Conflict response in a STAFFEX/CPX at Headquarters Northern Luzon Command in Camp Aquino, Tarlac City, Tarlac.

Moreover, the Field Training Exercises (FTX), the core component of Balikatan 2011, will stimulate the capabilities of the AFP Major Services.

These FTX, involving ground forces, sailors, marines and airmen of various units AFP-wide together with U.S. forces will be held simultaneously in different venues including Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija; Basa Air Base, Pampanga; Clark Air Base, Pampanga; Crow Valley Range, Tarlac; Naval Station L. Gantionqui, Zambales; Sangley Point, Cavite City; Marine Base Ternate, Cavite; and Mactan Benito Ebuen Air Base, Lapulapu City, Cebu

"The government of the Republic of the Philippines and the U.S. have a long-time relationship of working together. This partnership includes a 58-year mutual defense treaty, showcasing a long bilateral partnership in Philippine history," said Oban.

"Exercise Balikatan 2011 is a great opportunity to conduct training which is vital in maintaining the readiness and interoperability of the AFP and U.S. armed forces," Oban added.

AFP.mil.ph