PALAWAN, PHILIPPINES -- Naval Special Warfare forces deployed in support of U.S. Special Operations Command Pacific (SOCPAC) participated in Exercise Balikatan 2023 alongside sailors from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Naval Special Operations Units (NAVSOU) from April 10-28.
Balikatan is an annual exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the U.S. military designed to strengthen bilateral interoperability, improve capabilities, and reinforce the shared security relationship built over decades of training and cooperation. This was the 38th iteration of the exercise, with more than 17,600 troops participating in Balikatan 23, the largest to date.
“It’s a different environment here - we don’t get a lot of chances to work in a jungle environment, and we can learn a lot from our partner forces in the Philippines,” said Command Master Chief Jake Woroniecki, senior enlisted leader for the participating U.S. Naval Special Warfare SEAL Team. “The Balikatan exercise teaches us to elaborate on each other’s tactics, techniques, and procedures, and learn from each other on our weak and strong points so that we can become unified.”
More than 1,400 special operation forces assigned to Pacific Task Force Special Operations Forces Maritime, AFP NAVSOU, and Australian Defence Force 2nd Commando Regiment conducted maritime counter-terrorism training near Palawan, Republic of the Philippines to enhance regional security and build interoperability in joint special operations.
The three-week engagement included maritime training, combined close quarter combat drills, and small unit tactics, as well as knowledge and cultural exchanges. In one training scenario, participants rehearsed military operations on gas and oil platforms to protect commerce. In another evolution, forces practiced clandestine over-the-beach movements to project power from the maritime domain.
“Back in the states we conduct a lot of training tailored toward the Pacific, but having access and placement here, working with partner forces, gives us the opportunity to be in that environment and train toward those skills that we’ve been practicing over the course of our 18-month workup cycle,” said the Task Element Commander for the participating U.S. Naval Special Warfare unit. “It’s imperative that we continue to foster those relationships with the Naval Special Operations Units.”
The Tagalog phrase “Balikatan,” means “shoulder-to-shoulder” or “sharing the load together,” capturing the spirit of the exercise and the close friendship between the United States and the Philippines.
Balikatan prepares our forces for potential future crises, contingencies and disasters and increases our ability to work together to protect Philippine interests, support local populations and provide for a safe and secure Indo-Pacific region.
The increased complexity of Balikatan 23 builds upon the success of previous U.S. and AFP military exercises. Together, the countries conduct more than 450 exercise, training events and engagements throughout the year.
U.S. Naval Special Warfare is the nation’s elite maritime special operations force, uniquely positioned to extend the fleet’s reach. Integral to this capability is a forward deployed posture and continuous engagement with partner and ally forces, heightening mutual interoperability and regional expertise.