Philippine Air Force Lt. Col. Romell Allan P. Genete, right, the group commander of the 790th Air Base Group, walks with U.S. Marine Corps Chief Warrant Officer 3 Keith W. Earhart, left, and U. S. Marine Corps Master Sgt. Mark D. McLaughlin, center, to observe a road construction project in preparation for Balikatan 2014 at Crow Valley, Philippines May 4, 2014. The two nation’s militaries will participate in the exercise to increase interoperability and reinforce mission readiness. Earhart and McLaughlin are assigned to 3rd Maintenance Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 35, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Joey Holeman

New road ensures civilian safety during Balikatan exercise

7 May 2014 | Spc. Matthew Sissel U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific

CROW VALLEY, Philippines -- During the opening days of Balikatan 2014, the Philippine Air Force and U.S. Marines worked together to build a road, here, May 5.

The road was built to ensure the safety of local residents during live-fire exercises by circumventing areas used for combined military training.

U.S. Marine Staff Sgt. Jason Small, a heavy equipment operator with 3rd Maintenance Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force, stationed in Okinawa, Japan, and a Brooklyn, N.Y., native, said Balikatan 2014 was a great training opportunity for both nations and a benefit to local residents.

“Building the road is great training and it helps the local population,” said Small. “I think the Filipinos get a lot out of it and it improves our relationship with them.”

Balikatan is an annual training exercise that strengthens the interoperability between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and U.S. military in their commitment to regional security and stability, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.