Australian, Philippine and United States military forces celebrated the successful execution of the 40th iteration of Exercise Balikatan during a closing ceremony at Camp Aguinaldo, Manila, on May 9.
For three weeks, 260 Australian soldiers and aviators trained shoulder-to-shoulder with US and Philippine counterparts across the Philippine islands of Palawan and Luzon.
The forces participated in skills and knowledge exchanges, complex warfighting scenarios, explosive ordnance training, tactical air and medical drills, and delivered humanitarian assistance projects to local Filipino communities.
Commander of the Australian Contingent, Lieutenant Colonel Adrian Walker, said the exercise helped enhance interoperability, military cooperation and collective readiness.
"Training with our partners helps us to work together as a cohesive team while building trust and understanding, and strengthening our individual and collective ability to meet shared regional challenges," Lieutenant Colonel Walker said.
"Our forces need to train like we expect to fight, and that includes preparing for a range of contingencies, from high-end warfighting to humanitarian response, which is what we have achieved with our partners here on Balikatan."
Addressing the closing ceremony, Philippine Army General Romeo S. Brawner Jr, Chief of Staff, Armed Forces of the Philippines, said Balikatan was more than just a series of military exercises.
"Beyond the technical achievements, the most valuable outcome has been the enhanced mutual trust, deeper understanding and renewed commitment to shared security goals," General Brawner said.
"It is a demonstration of enduring partnerships and collaborative resolve."
At the start of the exercise, Royal Australian Air Force aviators from 65 Air Base Recovery Squadron began refurbishment works on Pulong Sampaloc Elementary School in Luzon.
'Beyond the technical achievements, the most valuable outcome has been the enhanced mutual trust, deeper understanding and renewed commitment to shared security goals.'
Four hours north at the historic Wallace Air Station, 114 Mobile Control and Reporting Unit deployed the 'Bandicoot' tactical air surveillance and battle management system for the first time overseas.
Another first included Army's Role 2 Basic health facility providing battlefield damage control during Battle Group Tiger's counter-landing live-fire mission, and maritime security operation on Balabac island.
Soldiers from Darwin's 1st Brigade integrated with US and Philippine marines, simulating securing and defending key maritime terrain supported by US Marine Corps MV-22B Ospreys and Philippine amphibious watercraft.
Commanding Officer Battle Group Tiger Lieutenant Colonel Hugh Grogan said the realistic training enhanced interoperability between the forces, preparing them for real-world challenges.
"At the tactical level, Exercise Balikatan 2025 has demonstrated the capacity of our soldiers to work at the human-to-human level, to be open and engaging with our partners," Lieutenant Colonel Grogan said.
"It has shown them how to integrate at the small team and up to the company level and has demonstrated what it actually takes to work in a cooperative environment.
"The first time we meet each other should not be in a crisis; should we meet in the dark at a time not of our choosing, Balikatan has ensured it will not be the first time we have operated together."
With more than 14,000 troops involved, Exercise Balikatan is the largest annual bilateral training exercise conducted between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the US military. Australia has participated since 2014.
