At least 5,500 US, PH troops to join Balikatan

Filipino and American troops will once again meet in May for the 30th iteration of the PH-US “Balikatan” (shoulder-to-shoulder) Exercises.

Lt. (SG) Annaleah Cazcarro, Combined Joint Information Bureau co-executive, said in regards to 2,500 US military work force and about 3,000 from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will join in this present year's "Balikatan".

The activity, which will formally commence May 5, is a yearly occasion where the AFP works together with its US partners to improve interoperability in ocean, air and ground operations.

Cazcarro said this current year's Balikatan will last until May 16.

She included, the activity zones during the current year incorporate Crow Valley in Tarlac, National Education Training Command (NETC) in San Antonio, Zambales, Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija, Puerto Princesa, Palawan and Ternate, Cavite.

Planned exercises incorporate staff and preparing activities for humane aid and catastrophe easing in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, joined together military live terminating activities in Crow Valley, Tarlac, static flying machine show at Clark Field, Pampanga, and showing of sea observation supplies at the NETC.

Community military operations are likewise booked to be held in Legazpi, Albay and Tacloban City, Leyte, Cazcarro included.

A year ago Balikatan activity had a noteworthy nature with China's contribution in the yearly occasion.

At the end service of the activity in April a year ago, U.s. exercise executive Marine Lt. Gen. Terry G. Robling, instructing general of U.s. Marine Corps Forces Pacific (MARFORPAC), noted that few key Asia-Pacific nations had as far back as anyone can remember took an interest as spectators in the activity, yet China's vicinity at the philanthropic support and catastrophe alleviation tabletop activity depicted another time for the activity.

During the current year, be that as it may, there will be no round table discourses and tabletop exercise around the planned exercises for the Balikatan exercise.