Balikatan

Balikatan
Part of the Philippines–United States military relations
TypeMultinational military exercise
CausePhilippines–United States Visiting Forces Agreement
ParticipantsArmed Forces of the Philippines
United States Armed Forces
Task Force Regulars, headed by 5th Battalion, 20th Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division and the 1st Brigade Combat Team, Philippine Army, completed a Combined Arms Live-Fire Exercise during Balikatan 2019 at Colonel Ernesto Ravina Air Base, Philippines, April 2019
Philippine army Lt. Col. Henry Bellan, left, and U.S. Army Lt. Col. John Garrity bury a time capsule during the construction of a footbridge in San Narciso, Zambales, Balikatan 2013
U.S. Marines participated in a martial arts class taught by Philippine Marine Corps instructors, Balikatan 2010 (BK '10)
U.S. Navy captains are briefed on Philippine and U.S. Navy events at a pre-sail conference aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Essex, Balikatan 2008
Philippine Marines and villagers from Tiptipon, Jolo pose with U.S. Marines and Sailors assigned to the 31st Marine Service Support Group, Balikatan 2006.

Exercise Balikatan is the most prominent annual military exercise between the Philippines and the United States. The Tagalog word balikatan means "shoulder-to-shoulder".[1] The exercises have been the cornerstone of Philippines–United States military relations since the closure of U.S. bases in the Philippines.[2]

Australian armed forces have participated in Balikatan exercises annually since 2014.[3] Australia has a visiting forces agreement, a type of a status of forces agreement, with the Philippines called Philippines–Australia Status of Visiting Forces Agreement.[3] The Philippines is open to other allied countries participating, provided that they too have a similar forces agreement.[3]

  1. ^ Talabong, Rambo (April 1, 2019). "PH, U.S. armed forces open Balikatan 2019". Rappler. Retrieved June 1, 2019.
  2. ^ Tritten, Travis J. (April 15, 2011). "U.S. Philippines wrap up annual Balikatan exercise". Stars and Stripes. Retrieved May 15, 2014.
  3. ^ a b c Fonbuena, Carmela (May 17, 2014). "Australia joins Balikatan war games for the first time". Rappler. Retrieved July 17, 2014.