The Philippines and the United States are set to conduct their biggest joint military exercise, Balikatan, starting on Tuesday, April 11. With over 17,600 servicemen participating, including 5,400 from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and 12,200 from the US military, this exercise aims to enhance interoperability and improve capability between the two forces.

The 38th Balikatan exercise, scheduled to take place from April 11 to 28, will involve various training scenarios designed to test the combat readiness of the participating forces. These scenarios will include amphibious operations, live-fire exercises, counter-terrorism drills, humanitarian assistance and disaster response operations, and other joint training activities.
The Balikatan exercise has been a long-standing tradition between the Philippines and the United States, aimed at strengthening their bilateral defense ties and promoting regional security in the Indo-Pacific region.

This year's exercise comes at a crucial time when both countries face security challenges, including maritime disputes in the South China Sea and the ongoing fight against terrorism.

The AFP and US military personnel will work closely together, sharing expertise, tactics, and strategies to enhance their capabilities and interoperability in joint operations. This exercise provides an opportunity for both forces to learn from each other's experiences and further strengthen their partnership.