In the lead up to International Nurses Day on May 12, two Filipina-born Australian Army nurses have proudly worn their uniforms supporting Exercise Balikatan in the Philippines.
Captain Krezeil Lacorte and Captain Novie Pagaduan deployed with a 29-person team from Army's 3rd Health Battalion, exercising a battlefield surgical capability and working alongside Australian, Philippine and United States forces training in Palawan.
It was their first time in the Philippines as uniformed members of the Australian Defence Force.
Intensive care unit clinical lead Captain Lacorte said returning to the Philippines as part of a major joint exercise was a highlight of her career.
"I feel proud coming back and supporting Australia and giving what I can. It's a rewarding experience," she said.
"Exercise Balikatan will be the most memorable experience for me. It's good to see three countries united in one goal, one aim, and hearing that it is successful is fulfilling."
Perioperative nurse Captain Pagaduan said it was a daunting decision uprooting her life to move to Australia, but it had been an incredible experience.
"It's a big decision coming to a foreign land by yourself but I have loved it, and when it comes to support, the Army has given me that from day one. They really look after you and I have never felt homesick," she said.
Captain Pagaduan said working alongside the Armed Forces of the Philippines during Exercise Balikatan had been a great experience with a strong sense of purpose.
"This interoperability is important because we look after our neighbours," she said.
"We do this exercise because the goal is for us to know what to do in times of trouble, it's important."
'It's a big decision coming to a foreign land by yourself but I have loved it, and when it comes to support, the Army has given me that from day one.'
As uniformed nurses, Captains Pagaduan and Lacorte must be prepared to work long hours in the field, providing life-saving care to military forces forward in the battlefield - often under intense pressure.
Captain Lacorte said participating in Balikatan with the Role 2 Basic Health Facility provided the opportunity to train casualty evacuation procedures with soldiers from the 5th/7th Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment (5/7RAR), while also achieving a significant milestone for Army.
"This is the first overseas deployment of the Role 2 Basic and it is really good to be part of this bit of history," she said.
"We get to test its capability in the field, and as Officer in Charge of Holding I get to oversee the injuries and how we might manage them.
"I have also been involved in the planning and reconnaissance of the three hospitals where we would send patients to if worse comes to worst.
"It has been good to support 5/7RAR with this capability as part of Balikatan."
The deployed contingent is also benefiting from the officers' language skills and local knowledge to help liaise with contractors and source Filipino delicacies for colleagues to sample.
Exercise Balikatan is the biggest annual bilateral training exercise conducted between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the United States military and includes participation and observers from Australia and a range of other countries.
Australia's contribution includes more than 260 conventional and special forces from the Australian Army and Royal Australian Air Force, exercising tactical air components, coastal defence and security, sustainment, medical support, multinational coordination and humanitarian civic assistance.
