Balikatan 2024 Wraps Up With Enhanced Alliance

The annual Exercise Balikatan, held from late April to May 10, 2024, concluded with a ceremony attended by high-level officials and nearly 12,000 participants from the U.S., the Philippines, Australia, France, and observers from 14 other nations. This year’s exercises focused on a broad range of military functions and strategic operations across land, sea, air, and cyberspace, aimed at strengthening international ties and enhancing security in the Indo-Pacific region.

Ambassador MaryKay Carlson, during her remarks at the closing ceremony, highlighted the significant achievements of the three-week military exercise. “Exercise Balikatan stands as proof of our collective commitment to enhancing interoperability in support of long-term prosperity not only for participant nations, but for the world,” Carlson stated.

The highlight of this year’s exercise included a complex live-fire event at the Combined Coordination Center, observed by both President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. of the Philippines and U.S. military leadership. The event underscored the strong military alliance between the U.S. and the Philippines, demonstrating their capability to meet mutual defense requirements effectively.

Aside from rigorous training, Balikatan 2024 also fostered camaraderie through community engagement. Service members participated in cultural exchange activities, including sharing meals and playing basketball with local Filipino communities. These activities helped deepen the bonds between the forces and the local populations, enhancing the longstanding alliance through people-to-people connections.

As the exercises concluded, Ambassador Carlson expressed her appreciation for the participants’ efforts and the successful execution of the planned activities. “I know that our service members, especially those experiencing the Philippines for the first time, depart enriched from this remarkable experience,” Carlson said, reflecting on the impact of the joint training.

Balikatan 2024 not only reinforced military skills and strategic alliances but also underscored the enduring partnership and shared goals between the U.S. and its allies in maintaining regional security and stability.