Armed Forces of the Philippines and U.S. Military Hold Balikatan Exercise Under Strict Health Protocol
Armed Forces of the Philippines and U.S. Military Hold Balikatan Exercise Under Strict Health Protocol
Attendees of the 36th Balikatan Exercise Opening Ceremony that was held in an open area, strictly observed social distancing in compliance with the guidelines set by the National Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (NITF- EID).
Armed Forces of the Philippines and U.S. Military Hold Balikatan Exercise Under Strict Health Protocol
New Normal Shoulder-to-Shoulder. From left: Major General Edgard Arevalo, General Cirilito Sobejana, Department of National Defense Undersecretary Cesar B. Yano, U. S. Chargé d'Affaires John Law and Colonel Aaron Brunk modified the traditional shoulder-to-shoulder pose in observance of the COVID-19 mitigation guidelines.
Armed Forces of the Philippines and U.S. Military Hold Balikatan Exercise Under Strict Health Protocol
Major General Edgard A Arevalo, Commander of the AFP Education Training and Doctrine Command and this year’s Exercise Director, and Colonel Aaron Brunk of the US 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force, Officer in Charge for Exercise Support Group led the unfurling of the Balikatan Flag symbolizing the official start of the 36th Philippines-United States Balikatan Exercise.
Armed Forces of the Philippines and U.S. Military Hold Balikatan Exercise Under Strict Health Protocol
This year’s Balikatan Exercise Director Major General Edgard Arevalo highlights the participating nations’ passion and desire to meet the objectives of the Balikatan Exercise amidst the challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Armed Forces of the Philippines and U.S. Military Hold Balikatan Exercise Under Strict Health Protocol
Department of National Defense Undersecretary Cesar B. Yano presided over the opening ceremony of the 36th Balikatan Exercise in Camp Aguinaldo. He said the Philippines and the United States’ bilateral relationship is founded on both countries’ shared history of espousing peace, security and cooperation among nations.
Armed Forces of the Philippines and U.S. Military Hold Balikatan Exercise Under Strict Health Protocol
Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff General Cirilito Sobejana, Balikatan Exercise Director Major General Edgard Arevalo and Exercise Support Group Officer in Charge Colonel Aaron Brunk wear the Balikatan Patch as symbol of the longstanding Balikatan Exercise happening in the Philippines on 12-23 April 2021.