Balikatan, meaning “shoulder-to-shoulder” in Tagalog, the language of the Philippines, was exactly how the two militaries conducted the 28th iteration of the multilateral event.

The combined forces worked together, shoulder-to-shoulder, to conduct more than 100 separate events across three categories: humanitarian and civic assistance, a simulated humanitarian assistance and disaster relief scenario, and field training.

During the ceremony, each speaker remarked on “culminating another historic event,” by working together and having a mutual respect for one another deeply rooted in cooperation. The speakers indicated that these successes were born out of the longstanding relationship between the Philippines and United States.

Harry K. Thomas Jr., U.S. ambassador to the Philippines, stood at the podium and spoke of the respect he witnessed among the exercise participants. He playfully took his speech, tore it up, and tossed it away, because he said he could not say anything better than what had been said by military leadership.

U.S. Marine Lt. Gen. Duane D. Thiessen, commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific; Philippine Army Gen. Jessie D. Dellosa, AFP chief of staff; and Philippine Navy Rear Adm. Victor Emmanuel C. Martir, AFP exercise director, all spoke of the mutual respect, admiration and gratitude the participating forces have for one another.

“This exercise was an amazing success,” Thiessen said. “I want to compliment the leadership, the vision of the government of the Philippines, and the leadership of the Armed Forces of the Philippines for everything they have done during this exercise. I have been very, very impressed.”

Exercise Balikatan is an annual training event aimed at improving combined planning, combat readiness, humanitarian assistance operations and interoperability between the AFP and United States.

“As it has been in the past … through the spirit and meaning of Balikatan, you have shouldered the work together,” said Honorio Azcueta, Philippine undersecretary of defense. “The training program you have participated in shall improve your professional advancement.”

The various activities provided the opportunity for the members of the AFP and U.S. forces to get to know each other, train together, and provide assistance to local communities. More than 6,500 Philippine and American troops participated in this year’s Balikatan.

During the humanitarian and civic assistance portion, which mainly took place in various locations in Palawan, an island southwest of mainland Philippines, both Philippine and U.S. medical personnel teamed up to treat 5,862 patients in need of medical care, and veterinarians treated approximately 6,091 animals.

The command post exercise consisted of notional tabletop exercises and was a multilateral event focused on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations’ planning and coordination. Leaders simulated natural-disaster scenarios to test and improve planning, preparation and disaster-response capabilities of the participating countries. In addition to Philippine and U.S. involvement, Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Republic of Korea, Singapore and Vietnam also participated.

The field-training exercise portion of Balikatan provided realistic bilateral training scenarios, from live-fire events to explosive ordnance disposal training.

“This is our 28th Balikatan,” Thiessen said. “Over those years, I’ve watched the Philippines and the United States work together. I have seen our exercises grow in sophistication and in mutual capacity.”

“We are at a level we have never been at before,” he added. “I’m very impressed.”

“With all of these activities undertaken, it is safe to say, ‘We have achieved what we planned to accomplish in this year’s exercise,’” Martir said. “I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the officers, men and women, soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines from both forces who made this year’s exercise a successful and significantly safe event for all.”