U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Simon Li, a low altitude air defense gunner with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265 (Rein.), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, aims a FIM-92E stinger missile system during a forward arming and refueling point exercise at Shoalwater Bay Training Area, Australia, July 4, 2023. Marines with 2nd LAAD provided a defensive posture for the FARP from aerial threats as part of an expeditionary advanced base of operations. The 31st MEU is operating aboard ships of the America Amphibious Ready Group in the 7th Fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability with allies and partners and serve as a ready response force to defend peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. - U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Simon Li, a low altitude air defense gunner with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265 (Rein.), 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, aims a FIM-92E stinger missile system during a forward arming and refueling point exercise at Shoalwater Bay Training Area, Australia, July 4, 2023. Marines with 2nd LAAD provided a defensive posture for the FARP from aerial threats as part of an expeditionary advanced base of operations. The 31st MEU is operating aboard ships of the America Amphibious Ready Group in the 7th Fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability with allies and partners and serve as a ready response force to defend peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

From left, Armed Forces of the Philippines Lt. Gen. Gilbert Gapay, commander, Southern Luzon Command, and Philippine Exercise Co-Director; Undersecretary Cardozo M. Luna, Undersecretary of the Department of National Defense; Sung Y. Kim, U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines; Armed Forces of the Philippines Gen. Benjamin Madrigal, Jr., AFP Chief of Staff; and U.S. Marine Brig. Gen. Christopher A. McPhillips, commanding general, 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade stand shoulder-to-shoulder at Tejeros Hall, Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City, Manila, Philippines, April 1, 2019. The ceremony represented the official commencement of Balikatan 2019 and the continued partnership between the United States and the Republic of the Philippines. Balikatan 19, in its 35th iteration, is an annual U.S.-Philippine military training focused on a variety of missions, including humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, counterterrorism, and other combined military operations held from April 1 to April 12. - From left, Armed Forces of the Philippines Lt. Gen. Gilbert Gapay, commander, Southern Luzon Command, and Philippine Exercise Co-Director; Undersecretary Cardozo M. Luna, Undersecretary of the Department of National Defense; Sung Y. Kim, U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines; Armed Forces of the Philippines Gen. Benjamin Madrigal, Jr., AFP Chief of Staff; and U.S. Marine Brig. Gen. Christopher A. McPhillips, commanding general, 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade stand shoulder-to-shoulder at Tejeros Hall, Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon City, Manila, Philippines, April 1, 2019. The ceremony represented the official commencement of Balikatan 2019 and the continued partnership between the United States and the Republic of the Philippines. Balikatan 19, in its 35th iteration, is an annual U.S.-Philippine military training focused on a variety of missions, including humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, counterterrorism, and other combined military operations held from April 1 to April 12.

Jacob Laurel, 9, swings on a tire recently hung by Armed Forces of the Philippines and U. S. service members in his village of Santa Juliana, April 23. Together with villagers and Armed Forces of the Philippines service members, Marines repaired two water pumps, hung tire swings in common areas, renovated the schoolhouse and donated books and school supplies to children in need during Exercise Balikatan 2012. Balikatan, which means "shoulder to shoulder" in Filipino, is an annual training event aimed at improving combined planning, combat readiness, humanitarian assistance and interoperability between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and United States - Jacob Laurel, 9, swings on a tire recently hung by Armed Forces of the Philippines and U. S. service members in his village of Santa Juliana, April 23. Together with villagers and Armed Forces of the Philippines service members, Marines repaired two water pumps, hung tire swings in common areas, renovated the schoolhouse and donated books and school supplies to children in need during Exercise Balikatan 2012. Balikatan, which means "shoulder to shoulder" in Filipino, is an annual training event aimed at improving combined planning, combat readiness, humanitarian assistance and interoperability between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and United States

Philippine Airmen from 5717 Communication Squadron and U.S. sailors from Marine Wing Support Group 17 run together during Exercise Balikatan 2012 (BK12) April 17, 2012 at the Antonio Bautista Air Base in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Republic of the Philippines. BK12, in its 28th iteration, is an annual bilateral training exercise between the Republic of the Philippines and U.S. military members designed to build joint planning, contingency, humanitarian and disaster relief capabilities. The 5717 Communication Squadron is part of the Philippine Air Force. MWSG-17 is part of 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force. - Philippine Airmen from 5717 Communication Squadron and U.S. sailors from Marine Wing Support Group 17 run together during Exercise Balikatan 2012 (BK12) April 17, 2012 at the Antonio Bautista Air Base in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Republic of the Philippines. BK12, in its 28th iteration, is an annual bilateral training exercise between the Republic of the Philippines and U.S. military members designed to build joint planning, contingency, humanitarian and disaster relief capabilities. The 5717 Communication Squadron is part of the Philippine Air Force. MWSG-17 is part of 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force.

Members of the official party stand shoulder-to-shoulder to illustrate the partnership that exists between the U.S. and Philippines during Exercise Balikatan 2012 at Camp Aguinaldo April 16. Balikatan, a Filipino word meaning “shoulder-to-shoulder,” is an annual bilateral exercise on its 28th iteration and the third humanitarian assistance/disaster relief focused exercise between the two nations. - Members of the official party stand shoulder-to-shoulder to illustrate the partnership that exists between the U.S. and Philippines during Exercise Balikatan 2012 at Camp Aguinaldo April 16. Balikatan, a Filipino word meaning “shoulder-to-shoulder,” is an annual bilateral exercise on its 28th iteration and the third humanitarian assistance/disaster relief focused exercise between the two nations.

Standing from left, Airman 1st Class Roman P. Dial, Airman 1st Class Tom Israel N. Navor, Airman 1st Class Anthony J. Jamolin, Tech. Sgt. Federico C. Samson, Airman 1st Class Pater J. V. Senorin, and 1st Lt. Aminkadra B. Abdula point at and discuss a mock convoy route during a convoy operations class on Antonio Bautista Air Base in Puerto Princesa, April 16, 2012 for Exercise Balikatan 2012. The class was instructed by U.S. Marine Capt. Max Foti and U.S. Marine Staff Sgt. Jorge Gonzalezmancha from Marine Wing Support Squadron 172. BK12, in its 28th iteration, is a bilateral, joint exercise conducted annually between the U.S. and the Republic of the Philippines. MWSS-172 is with Marine Wing Support Group 17, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force. - Standing from left, Airman 1st Class Roman P. Dial, Airman 1st Class Tom Israel N. Navor, Airman 1st Class Anthony J. Jamolin, Tech. Sgt. Federico C. Samson, Airman 1st Class Pater J. V. Senorin, and 1st Lt. Aminkadra B. Abdula point at and discuss a mock convoy route during a convoy operations class on Antonio Bautista Air Base in Puerto Princesa, April 16, 2012 for Exercise Balikatan 2012. The class was instructed by U.S. Marine Capt. Max Foti and U.S. Marine Staff Sgt. Jorge Gonzalezmancha from Marine Wing Support Squadron 172. BK12, in its 28th iteration, is a bilateral, joint exercise conducted annually between the U.S. and the Republic of the Philippines. MWSS-172 is with Marine Wing Support Group 17, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force.

Armed Forces of the Philippines Air Force Staff Sgt. Michle P. Balberan, a member of 5711 Security Force Squadron, and U.S. Marine Sgt. Paul Mead, a member of Marine Wing Support Squadron 172's Quick Reaction Force, look at a fake improvised explosive device during a training evolution as part of Exercise Balikatan 2012 (BK12) on April 13, 2012 at the AFP's Western Command Base in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Republic of the Philippines. BK12, in its 28th iteration, is an annual bilateral training exercise between the Republic of the Philippines and U.S. military members designed to build joint planning, contingency, humanitarian and disaster relief capabilities. MWSS-172 is part of Marine Wing Support Group 17, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force. BK12 officially begins April 16, 2012. (Photo illustration by Staff Sgt. Lyndel Johnson) - Armed Forces of the Philippines Air Force Staff Sgt. Michle P. Balberan, a member of 5711 Security Force Squadron, and U.S. Marine Sgt. Paul Mead, a member of Marine Wing Support Squadron 172's Quick Reaction Force, look at a fake improvised explosive device during a training evolution as part of Exercise Balikatan 2012 (BK12) on April 13, 2012 at the AFP's Western Command Base in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Republic of the Philippines. BK12, in its 28th iteration, is an annual bilateral training exercise between the Republic of the Philippines and U.S. military members designed to build joint planning, contingency, humanitarian and disaster relief capabilities. MWSS-172 is part of Marine Wing Support Group 17, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force. BK12 officially begins April 16, 2012. (Photo illustration by Staff Sgt. Lyndel Johnson)

Lance Cpl. Cory B. Smith, hygiene equipment operator, Combat Logistics Battalion 3, prepares to pump clean water into an M-149 water tank in Crow Valley, Philippines, for Exercise Balikatan 2012, April 11. He used a Tactical Water Purification System to turn raw river water into potable water for the camp. "It's crucial to have a sustainable amount of water at all times," Smith said. "Before we had to wait for water trucks to come in from the locals to start purifying water, and that wasn't enough to meet our camp's needs." - Lance Cpl. Cory B. Smith, hygiene equipment operator, Combat Logistics Battalion 3, prepares to pump clean water into an M-149 water tank in Crow Valley, Philippines, for Exercise Balikatan 2012, April 11. He used a Tactical Water Purification System to turn raw river water into potable water for the camp. "It's crucial to have a sustainable amount of water at all times," Smith said. "Before we had to wait for water trucks to come in from the locals to start purifying water, and that wasn't enough to meet our camp's needs."

Armed Forces of the Philippines Navy Seaman 1st Class Myra T. Sordilla, a painter with the 401st Philippine Navy Reserve, and Lance Cpl. Melinda L. Carbajal, native of Fairfax, Va., currently assigned as a combat engineer to the Marine Wing Support Squadron 172, and the only female Marine serving in her platoon, work together to paint a comfort room April 9, for Santa Cruz Elementary School in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Republic of the Philippines, during Exercise Balikatan 2012. The school is one of five engineering civic assistance projects the island of Palawan will receive during the exercise. - Armed Forces of the Philippines Navy Seaman 1st Class Myra T. Sordilla, a painter with the 401st Philippine Navy Reserve, and Lance Cpl. Melinda L. Carbajal, native of Fairfax, Va., currently assigned as a combat engineer to the Marine Wing Support Squadron 172, and the only female Marine serving in her platoon, work together to paint a comfort room April 9, for Santa Cruz Elementary School in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Republic of the Philippines, during Exercise Balikatan 2012. The school is one of five engineering civic assistance projects the island of Palawan will receive during the exercise.