Special Operations.Com
Exercise Balikatan 2000
Kadena Air Base, Japan
Exercise Balikatan 2000 underway
in Philippines
ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam (AFPN) -- More
than 181 Air Force people have joined the estimated
2,500 American military members participating in Exercise
Balikatan 2000 in the Philippines this month.
A similar number from the armed forces of the Philippines
are also participating.
The joint, combined-arms training exercise with Philippine
forces represents the first time since 1995 the two
long-time security partners have participated in such
a military operation. The exercise began Jan. 31 and
will run until March 3.
The purpose of the exercise is to improve the Philippine
and U.S. combined planning, combat readiness, and
interoperability. The exercise will also enhance security
relations and demonstrate U.S. resolve to support
the Philippines against external aggression through
training in joint and combined operations and conduct
of other related activities consistent with the mutual
defense treaty.
The largest part of the Air Force contingent will
come from six Pacific Air Forces bases. More than
110 people will travel to the Philippines from Andersen;
Kadena Air Base, Japan; Yokota AB, Japan; Hickam Air
Force Base, Hawaii; Elmendorf AFB, Alaska; Osan AB,
Republic of Korea; and Camp Red Cloud, Republic of
Korea.
The deployment package includes logisticians, maintenance
crews, medical staff, personnel specialists, public
affairs technicians, operations staff, security forces,
transportation crews, and weather specialists.
Their mission includes support of the two HH-60 rescue
helicopters from Kadena's 33rd Rescue Squadron and
one C-130 deployed from Yokota's 36th Airlift Squadron.
Phase I of Balikatan 2000, a Joint Task Force seminar,
is underway and will continue until March 3. Phase
II begins Feb. 21 and ends March 3. It will include
cross training of operations forces, as well as an
amphibious operation and several humanitarian and
civic assistance events at various sites on Luzon
and Palawan.
The exercise name, translated from Tagalog to English,
means "shouldering the load together" and
characterizes both the intent and philosophy of the
combined military effort.
The Philippine exercise co-director is Col. Anastacio
A. Salud, Philippine Army, Fort Bonifacio, metropolitan
Manila. The U.S. co-director is Col. John W. Miller,
Headquarters U.S. Army Pacific, Ft. Shafter, Hawaii.
Balikatan 2000 is the sixteenth such exercise since
1981. (Courtesy of PACAF News Service)
