Australian Army soldiers worked shoulder-to-shoulder with Philippine and United States marines to dig in at the beachfront at Rizal, preparing to turn back a notional invasion on Philippine territory.
This display of tri-nation integration and interoperability was part of a counter-landing live-fire exercise in Palawan for Exercise Balikatan 2025.
Commanding Officer Battle Group Tiger and 5th/7th Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment (5/7RAR), Lieutenant Colonel Hugh Grogan, said Balikatan helped multinational forces develop shared tactics, techniques and procedures to enhance readiness and response capabilities for real-world challenges.
"Working with the US and the Armed Forces of the Philippines during Balikatan 25 has been exceptional," Lieutenant Colonel Grogan said.
"It's demonstrated the professionalism across our forces and our capacity to integrate and work effectively at all levels of command, showcasing the means in which we can work together in the lead-up to high-level warfighting activities."
Over a number of days, the multinational battlegroup planned and rehearsed tactical and medical drills to hone interoperability while enduring the intense jungle heat.
Captain Carter Collins, Echo Company Commander, US Marines, said working and training alongside Australian and Philippine forces was a great opportunity to exchange knowledge and cross-train to deploy effectively as a joint force.
"The counter-landing live fire allows the US, Australian Defence Force and Philippine Marine Corps to get on a live-fire range and work through our defence and how we would notionally protect a beachhead, and exchange tactics and procedures as we go through that process," Captain Collins said.
"It's been fantastic to work with both ADF and the Philippine Marine Corps. They have both jumped straight into subject-matter expert exchanges … trying to understand how we do things, and also teaching us things we didn't know."
'It's demonstrated the professionalism across our forces and our capacity to integrate and work effectively at all levels of command.'
The well-rehearsed forces successfully executed the coastal defence mission.
The main event began with a maritime interdiction, which involved Philippine naval assets, shore-based heavy weapons systems, crew-served weapons and guided weapons systems, engaging with approaching notional adversary vessels.
A defensive battle followed involving small arms operated by 5/7RAR soldiers, Philippine and US marines, fighting from fortified locations across the beach.
Philippine Marine Corps' Commanding General of 3rd Marine Brigade, Brigadier General Mangoroban, said the tri-nation integration demonstrated a shared commitment to supporting regional security.
"Today we have witnessed some of the powers of our partner nations. We are very grateful for their participation. This is a community of like-minded nations pursuing a rules-based international order here on Exercise Balikatan," Brigadier General Mangoroban said.
The exercise concluded with Battle Group Tiger using long-range precision fires of the US Army's High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) firing ripper shots at grids in the ocean.
Australia's contribution to Balikatan 2025 included more than 260 ADF 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.
With more than 14,000 troops, Exercise Balikatan is the largest annual bilateral training exercise conducted between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the US military, with 2025 marking the 40th iteration of the exercise.
