Special Operations.Com

Exercise Balikatan 2000

Kadena Air Base, Japan

Phase II of Balikatan 2000 gets underway

23 Feb 2000

by Staff Sgt. Bob Pullen
Balikatan Combined Joint Information Bureau

MANILA, Philippines (AFPN) -- Phase II of Exercise Balikatan 2000 got underway here Feb. 21, involving approximately 2,500 U.S. military members, including more than 180 Air Force men and women. A si milar number from the Armed Forces of the Philippines will also be taking part.

During the exercise members from both countries will be "shouldering the load together," which is also the English translation of Balikatan.

Exercise Balikatan is a Republic of the Philippines and U.S. combined/joint exercise designed to improve planning, combat readiness and interoperability of military troops for a wide range of operations from humanitarian assistance to peace keeping. The exercise will also enhance security relations and demonstrate U.S. resolve to support the Republic of the Philippines against external aggression through training in joint/combined operations and conduct of other related activities consistent with the Mutual Defense Treaty and Visiting Forces Agreement.

"This is a tremendous opportunity for U.S. forces to work side-by-side with members of the Philippine Armed Forces," said Lt. Col. Vince Farrell, 613th Air Expeditionary Group commander and director of Air Force operations for Balikatan.

"Even though the number of Air Force people here is relatively small compared to some of the other services, their contributions will be very significant."

During the two weeks of Phase II members of the services will be taking part in the cross training of operations forces, an amphibious operation as well as several humanitarian and civic assistance events at sites on Luzon and Palawal. Engineering specialists will be assisting with the construction of schools and water systems at various locations around the country. Medical and dental professionals will also be treating people at more remote locations, and veterinary doctors will even be treating animals.

Search-and-rescue operations will also be a part of Balikatan with two Air Force HH-60 helicopters from the 33rd Rescue Squadron, Kadena Air Base, Japan, and a C-130 Hercules from the 36th Airlift Squadron, Yokota Air Base, Japan, taking part. Other Air Force aircraft being used to transport troops and supplies include C-17s, C-141s and C-5s.

Some of the Air Force units involved with Balikatan brought clothes, supplies and books to donate to some of the schools in the Philippines.

"The crews from the Hawaii Air National Guard brought clothes and supplies with them on their C-130 to donate to some of the children living in less fortunate areas," Farrell said. "We also brought boxes of books with us from Andersen Air Force Base in Guam to donate to the schools."

Balikatan is the largest U.S. military exercise with the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Phase I took place from Jan. 31 to Feb. 6 and consisted of a Joint Task Force Seminar. (Courtesy of Pacific Air Forces News Service)

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