The Philippines and the US on April 1 begun their large-scale annual military exercise, including a drill on part of Luzon island. (Source: Stripes) Hanoi (VNA) – The Philippines and the US on April 1 beguntheir large-scale annual military exercise, including a drill on part of Luzonisland.
The 12-day exercise, known as Balikatan (Shoulder-to-Shoulder), brings togethernearly 8,000 Philippine and US troops, along with soldiers from Australia andobservers from seven other countries.
Philippines' Lieut. Gen. Gilbert Gapay, co-director of thejoint military exercise, said this year’s Balikatan will focus on addressingtraditional and non-traditional security concern.
In the next two weeks, the Philippine and US forces will planningand simulation training, operational training and civic activities.
Brig. Gen. Chris McPhillips, exercise directorfor the US side, said among the warshipsdeployed in the exercise are F-35B stealth fighters.
Similar to the previous exercise, this year’s drill will mainlytake place in the northern region of the Philippines.-VNA
The 12-day exercise, known as Balikatan (Shoulder-to-Shoulder), brings togethernearly 8,000 Philippine and US troops, along with soldiers from Australia andobservers from seven other countries.
Philippines' Lieut. Gen. Gilbert Gapay, co-director of thejoint military exercise, said this year’s Balikatan will focus on addressingtraditional and non-traditional security concern.
In the next two weeks, the Philippine and US forces will planningand simulation training, operational training and civic activities.
Brig. Gen. Chris McPhillips, exercise directorfor the US side, said among the warshipsdeployed in the exercise are F-35B stealth fighters.
Similar to the previous exercise, this year’s drill will mainlytake place in the northern region of the Philippines.-VNA
VNA
