APRIL 17, 2025 – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the U.S. military are joining forces for the 40th iteration of Exercise Balikatan, the largest annual bilateral training exercise between the two allies, from April 21 to May 9. Building on the complexities and achievements of past iterations, this year’s exercise will demonstrate the progress in the AFP’s modernization efforts and further strengthen the U.S. – Philippine Mutual Defense Treaty by enhancing military interoperability and readiness.
AFP and U.S. military members will participate alongside forces from the Australian Defence Force and, for the first time, the Japan Self-Defense Force. Additionally, 16 nations are scheduled to take part in the AFP-hosted international observer program, including Brunei, Canada, Czech Republic, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Lithuania, Malaysia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Thailand, United Kingdom and Vietnam.
“To fight as a team, we have to train as a team. Even in the 40th iteration, we approach each Balikatan with a renewed focus on developing combined training that ensures we are prepared and confident to fight and win together if called upon.” Philippine Navy Commodore Richard N. Gonzaga, Balikatan 2025 Exercise Director
Distinguishing itself from past iterations, Balikatan 25 will feature a Full Battle Test that incorporates real-world forces and events into a virtual and constructive exercise scenario. The exercise will span all domains—air, land, sea, space, and cyber—testing the interoperability between U.S. and Philippine forces to simulate the defense of Philippine sovereignty.
“The Full Battle Test will demonstrate how the tactical actions of service members have operational effects for the multilateral force,” said U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Michael S. Cederholm, commanding general, I Marine Expeditionary Force. “Doing so allows us to validate, refine and improve our combined capability to defend the Philippines.”
The exercise will consist of four primary components: a Combined Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore (CJLOTS) operation, humanitarian civic assistance (HCA) activities, a command-and-control exercise (C2X), and a Multilateral Maritime Exercise (MME). Each component will encompass several training events and engagement throughout the Philippines.
The CJLOTS operation, which will be conducted by U.S. and Philippine forces prior to the opening ceremony, will strengthen our collaborative logistics capabilities through offloading heavy equipment and supplies from maritime vessels onto shore using landing craft and other expeditionary vessels.
During the HCA activities, which will be led by a joint AFP-U.S. civil-military operations task force, service members will carry out humanitarian missions at five locations across the Philippines that focus on improving local infrastructure, sharing medical skills, and reinforcing ties with local communities.
The C2X incorporates two parts: a Command Post Exercise (CPX), during which the AFP and U.S. forces will operate parallel JTFs, synchronizing their bilateral actions through a Combined Coordination Center and fusion centers; and a Field Training Exercise (FTX), where U.S., AFP, ADF and JSDF forces will conduct training across Luzon and Palawan. The FTX focuses on six Combined Joint All-Domain Operations (CJADO) events, which are combined-arms, live-fire exercises that emphasize maritime security, coastal defense and joint fires across all domains. The C2X will showcase AFP modernization progress, as well as the tactical proficiency and operational capability of participating allies, all while certifying I Marine Expeditionary Force as a JTF.
During the MME, the U.S. Navy, Philippine Navy, and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force will carry out joint naval activities along the coast of Luzon, conducting various training events in the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.
Training side-by-side in each exercise component, AFP and U.S. forces will live up to “Balikatan” namesake, which means “shoulder-to-shoulder” in Tagalog, symbolizing the strong partnership between the Philippines and the United States.
“Balikatan 25 is more than a continuation of training over several decades – it’s a vital investment in our shared security.” Together with our steadfast allies in the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and with the growing involvement of nations with shared vital interests, like Australia and Japan, we are operating as a force with mutually supporting capabilities ready to meet challenges in the region and defend a free and open Indo-Pacific. It’s really impressive. said U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. James F. Glynn, the commander of U.S. Marine Corps Forces Pacific.
About Balikatan
Balikatan is an annual exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and U.S. military designed to strengthen bilateral interoperability, capabilities, trust and cooperation built over decades of shared experiences. For complete coverage of Balikatan 25 activities, visit https://www.dvidshub.net/unit/BK.
By Courtesy Story
U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific