MANILA — The inaugural “Balikatan” multilateral maritime drill involving the Philippines, United States, and France concluded successfully on Monday, with all participating vessels completing the exercise without any incidents.
According to Balikatan Combined Information Bureau chief Lt. Col. John Paul Salgado, the historic event marked a significant milestone in regional cooperation and security. The drill, which commenced on April 25 and ended on April 29 in Palawan, showcased the active involvement of the Philippine Navy’s BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PS-16) and BRP Davao Del Sur (LD-602), the US Navy’s USS Harpers Ferry (LSD-49), and the French Navy’s FS Vendemiaire (FFH-734).
With approximately 17,000 Filipino and American soldiers participating in the broader three-week “Balikatan” exercises running from April 22 to May 10, the five-day multilateral maritime exercise featured impressive demonstrations. These included a coordinated photo exercise depicting simulated formation sailing and the documentation of operations using proper photographic techniques for military purposes.
Additionally, participants engaged in surface gun exercises to test live-fire capabilities and communication skills under challenging conditions. The MME not only showcased professionalism and coordination but also provided valuable knowledge and expertise to enhance the capabilities of the participating countries.
(el Amigo/MNM)
