Philippine and U.S. government and military representatives conduct the “crossing of hands” during the opening ceremony to commence Balikatan 24 at Camp Aguinaldo, Manila, Philippines, April 22, 2024. BK 24 is an annual exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the U.S. military designed to strengthen bilateral interoperability, capabilities, trust, and cooperation built over decades of shared experiences (U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Erica Stanke) - Philippine and U.S. government and military representatives conduct the “crossing of hands” during the opening ceremony to commence Balikatan 24 at Camp Aguinaldo, Manila, Philippines, April 22, 2024. BK 24 is an annual exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the U.S. military designed to strengthen bilateral interoperability, capabilities, trust, and cooperation built over decades of shared experiences (U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Erica Stanke)

U.S. leaders across military installations in Okinawa and leaders with the Japanese Self-Defense Forces pose for a photo during the 2024 Okinawa Bilateral Commander’s Conference on Marine Corps Base Camp Smedley D. Butler, April. 17, 2024. The conference was held for commanders to share information and discuss mutual areas of interest to include bilateral security initiatives related to training, response capabilities, and deterrence. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Manuel Alvarado) - U.S. leaders across military installations in Okinawa and leaders with the Japanese Self-Defense Forces pose for a photo during the 2024 Okinawa Bilateral Commander’s Conference on Marine Corps Base Camp Smedley D. Butler, April. 17, 2024. The conference was held for commanders to share information and discuss mutual areas of interest to include bilateral security initiatives related to training, response capabilities, and deterrence. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Manuel Alvarado)

U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Ron Williams, a corpsman with the Combined Joint Civil-Military Operations Task Force, guides a local healthcare worker during a cardiopulmonary resuscitation practical application as part of a community health engagement held before Exercise Balikatan 24 at Davila Elementary School in Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte, Philippines, April 21, 2024. The Philippine and U.S. service members trained Ilocos Norte healthcare workers and residents on basic lifesaving skills such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation and tactical combat casualty care, increasing emergency care access and awareness. BK 24 is an annual exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the U.S. military designed to strengthen bilateral interoperability, capabilities, trust, and cooperation built over decades of shared experiences. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Trent A. Henry) - U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Ron Williams, a corpsman with the Combined Joint Civil-Military Operations Task Force, guides a local healthcare worker during a cardiopulmonary resuscitation practical application as part of a community health engagement held before Exercise Balikatan 24 at Davila Elementary School in Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte, Philippines, April 21, 2024. The Philippine and U.S. service members trained Ilocos Norte healthcare workers and residents on basic lifesaving skills such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation and tactical combat casualty care, increasing emergency care access and awareness. BK 24 is an annual exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the U.S. military designed to strengthen bilateral interoperability, capabilities, trust, and cooperation built over decades of shared experiences. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Trent A. Henry)

Philippine and U.S. service members pose for a photograph with barangay captains, religious leaders, San Fernando officials, La Union residents, San Agustin Elementary School faculty and staff, and students during a ‘Bundles of Joy’ event held before Exercise Balikatan 24 at San Agustin Elementary School in San Fernando, La Union, Philippines, April 13, 2024. The ‘Bundle of Joy’ delivery consisted of televisions, laptops, printers, and school supplies to improve the learning environment for students, staff, and San Agustin Elementary School faculty. BK 24 is an annual exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the U.S. military designed to strengthen bilateral interoperability, capabilities, trust, and cooperation built over decades of shared experiences. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Trent A. Henry) - Philippine and U.S. service members pose for a photograph with barangay captains, religious leaders, San Fernando officials, La Union residents, San Agustin Elementary School faculty and staff, and students during a ‘Bundles of Joy’ event held before Exercise Balikatan 24 at San Agustin Elementary School in San Fernando, La Union, Philippines, April 13, 2024. The ‘Bundle of Joy’ delivery consisted of televisions, laptops, printers, and school supplies to improve the learning environment for students, staff, and San Agustin Elementary School faculty. BK 24 is an annual exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the U.S. military designed to strengthen bilateral interoperability, capabilities, trust, and cooperation built over decades of shared experiences. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Trent A. Henry)

U.S. Navy Lt. Reena Mei Leech, an obstetrical and medical-surgical nurse with the Combined Joint Civil-Military Operations Task Force, engages with a local community member while discussing women’s health during a community health engagement held before Exercise Balikatan 24 at the Dingalan Municipal Gymnasium in Dingalan, Aurora, Philippines, April 5, 2024. BK 24 is an annual exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the U.S. military designed to strengthen bilateral interoperability, capabilities, trust, and cooperation built over decades of shared experiences. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Trent A. Henry) - U.S. Navy Lt. Reena Mei Leech, an obstetrical and medical-surgical nurse with the Combined Joint Civil-Military Operations Task Force, engages with a local community member while discussing women’s health during a community health engagement held before Exercise Balikatan 24 at the Dingalan Municipal Gymnasium in Dingalan, Aurora, Philippines, April 5, 2024. BK 24 is an annual exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the U.S. military designed to strengthen bilateral interoperability, capabilities, trust, and cooperation built over decades of shared experiences. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Trent A. Henry)

U.S. Marines assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 165 (Reinforced), 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, prepare CH-53E Super Stallions attached to VMM-165 (Rein.), 15th MEU, for flight operations aboard the amphibious transport dock USS Somerset (LPD 25) in the South China Sea April 11, 2024. Somerset and embarked elements of the 15th MEU are conducting routine operations in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy's largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Aidan Hekker) - U.S. Marines assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 165 (Reinforced), 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, prepare CH-53E Super Stallions attached to VMM-165 (Rein.), 15th MEU, for flight operations aboard the amphibious transport dock USS Somerset (LPD 25) in the South China Sea April 11, 2024. Somerset and embarked elements of the 15th MEU are conducting routine operations in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy's largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Aidan Hekker)

U.S. Marine Corps Col. Brian T. Mulvihill, center right, the commanding officer of Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 24.3, and Lt. Col. Scott Stafford, center left, the executive officer of MRF-D-24.3, salute during the 109th commemorative service in honor of Anzac Day at Darwin Cenotaph War Memorial, NT, Australia, April 25, 2024. Anzac Day marks the landings in Gallipoli of Australian and New Zealand Army Corps soldiers in 1915, and commemorates all Australian personnel who served and died in wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations. MRF-D 24.3 Marines and Sailors showed their support to the Australian Defence Force personnel commemorating Anzac Day through dawn services and other commemorative services. Mulvihill is a native of New York. Stafford is a native of Indiana. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Juan Torres) - U.S. Marine Corps Col. Brian T. Mulvihill, center right, the commanding officer of Marine Rotational Force – Darwin 24.3, and Lt. Col. Scott Stafford, center left, the executive officer of MRF-D-24.3, salute during the 109th commemorative service in honor of Anzac Day at Darwin Cenotaph War Memorial, NT, Australia, April 25, 2024. Anzac Day marks the landings in Gallipoli of Australian and New Zealand Army Corps soldiers in 1915, and commemorates all Australian personnel who served and died in wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations. MRF-D 24.3 Marines and Sailors showed their support to the Australian Defence Force personnel commemorating Anzac Day through dawn services and other commemorative services. Mulvihill is a native of New York. Stafford is a native of Indiana. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Juan Torres)

U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. William M. Jurney, commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, presents a gift to Gov. Emais Roberts at the office of the governor in Peleliu Apr. 25. Jurney traveled to Palau to meet with local and military leaders to discuss regional defense partnerships and opportunities. Palau is one of the Compact of Free Association states aligned with the United States, which provides defense, funding, and access to social services. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Samantha Jetzer) - U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. William M. Jurney, commander, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, presents a gift to Gov. Emais Roberts at the office of the governor in Peleliu Apr. 25. Jurney traveled to Palau to meet with local and military leaders to discuss regional defense partnerships and opportunities. Palau is one of the Compact of Free Association states aligned with the United States, which provides defense, funding, and access to social services. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Samantha Jetzer)

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Kevin Hopkins, left, the sergeant major of Marine Wing Support Squadron 174, Lt. Col. Matthew Schultz, center, the commanding officer of Marine Wing Support Squadron 174 and Maj. Randall Gregorius, a logistics officer with Marine Wing Support Squadron 174, dance with residents of Lal-lo at a ‘Barangay Fiesta’ held during Exercise Balikatan 24 at Dagupan Barangay Hall, Lal-lo, Cagayan, Philippines, April 24, 2024. BK 24 is an annual exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the U.S. military designed to strengthen bilateral interoperability, capabilities, trust and cooperation built over decades of shared experiences. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Trent A. Henry) - U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Kevin Hopkins, left, the sergeant major of Marine Wing Support Squadron 174, Lt. Col. Matthew Schultz, center, the commanding officer of Marine Wing Support Squadron 174 and Maj. Randall Gregorius, a logistics officer with Marine Wing Support Squadron 174, dance with residents of Lal-lo at a ‘Barangay Fiesta’ held during Exercise Balikatan 24 at Dagupan Barangay Hall, Lal-lo, Cagayan, Philippines, April 24, 2024. BK 24 is an annual exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the U.S. military designed to strengthen bilateral interoperability, capabilities, trust and cooperation built over decades of shared experiences. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Trent A. Henry)

U.S. Marine Corps Master Sgt. Philip Anacta, the camp chief of Joint Task Force Headquarters for Exercise Balikatan 24, poses for a photo during an interview in Taguig, Philippines, April 25, 2024. Anacta was interviewed to share his story of growing up in the Philippines and being able to return for the exercise for the 5th time. BK 24 is an annual exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the U.S. military designed to strengthen bilateral interoperability, capabilities, trust, and cooperation built over decades of shared experiences. Anacta is a native of Taguig, Philippines. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Cameron Hermanet) - U.S. Marine Corps Master Sgt. Philip Anacta, the camp chief of Joint Task Force Headquarters for Exercise Balikatan 24, poses for a photo during an interview in Taguig, Philippines, April 25, 2024. Anacta was interviewed to share his story of growing up in the Philippines and being able to return for the exercise for the 5th time. BK 24 is an annual exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the U.S. military designed to strengthen bilateral interoperability, capabilities, trust, and cooperation built over decades of shared experiences. Anacta is a native of Taguig, Philippines. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Cameron Hermanet)