Pacific Marines Stories

Filipino children wave U.S. and Philippine flags during a groundbreaking ceremony for Balikatan 2017 in Ormoc City, Leyte, April 25, 2017. Leaders from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, U.S. military, and Ormoc City gathered to commemorate the beginning of engineering projects for new classrooms at Margen Elementary School in Ormoc City. Balikatan is an annual U.S.-Philippine military bilateral exercise focused on a variety of missions, including humanitarian assistance and disaster relief and counterterrorism. - Filipino children wave U.S. and Philippine flags during a groundbreaking ceremony for Balikatan 2017 in Ormoc City, Leyte, April 25, 2017. Leaders from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, U.S. military, and Ormoc City gathered to commemorate the beginning of engineering projects for new classrooms at Margen Elementary School in Ormoc City. Balikatan is an annual U.S.-Philippine military bilateral exercise focused on a variety of missions, including humanitarian assistance and disaster relief and counterterrorism.

U.S. Soldiers guide a UH-60 Black Hawk off USNS Fisher (T-AKR 301) during port operations in support of Balikatan 2017 at Subic Bay, Zambales, May 1, 2017. Balikatan is an annual U.S.-Philippine bilateral military exercise focused on a variety of missions, including humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, counterterrorism, and other combined military operations. - U.S. Soldiers guide a UH-60 Black Hawk off USNS Fisher (T-AKR 301) during port operations in support of Balikatan 2017 at Subic Bay, Zambales, May 1, 2017. Balikatan is an annual U.S.-Philippine bilateral military exercise focused on a variety of missions, including humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, counterterrorism, and other combined military operations.

U.S. Marine Staff Sgt. Alexander Davis adjusts a satellite communication antenna during Balikatan 2017 at Camp Lapulapu, Cebu, April 25, 2017. Balikatan is an annual U.S.-Philippine military bilateral exercise focused on a variety of missions, including humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and counterterrorism. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Corey Pettis) - U.S. Marine Staff Sgt. Alexander Davis adjusts a satellite communication antenna during Balikatan 2017 at Camp Lapulapu, Cebu, April 25, 2017. Balikatan is an annual U.S.-Philippine military bilateral exercise focused on a variety of missions, including humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and counterterrorism. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Corey Pettis)

U.S. Marines from 3D Marine Expeditionary Brigade, III Marine Expeditionary Force, offloaded a High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle pier-side from the USNS 1st Lt. Jack Lummus, March 21, during annual exercise Freedom Banner 2013 Maritime Prepositioning Force offload in Subic Bay, Republic of the Philippines. More than 270 Marine Corps tactical vehicles and amphibious assault vehicles were offloaded in support of FB13 and Balikatan 2013, an annual bilateral exercise that takes place in the Philippines. The MPF program supports global positioning of Marine Air-Ground Task Force and naval equipment and supplies in response to a range of military operations from the quick and rapid buildup of combat power to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. - U.S. Marines from 3D Marine Expeditionary Brigade, III Marine Expeditionary Force, offloaded a High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle pier-side from the USNS 1st Lt. Jack Lummus, March 21, during annual exercise Freedom Banner 2013 Maritime Prepositioning Force offload in Subic Bay, Republic of the Philippines. More than 270 Marine Corps tactical vehicles and amphibious assault vehicles were offloaded in support of FB13 and Balikatan 2013, an annual bilateral exercise that takes place in the Philippines. The MPF program supports global positioning of Marine Air-Ground Task Force and naval equipment and supplies in response to a range of military operations from the quick and rapid buildup of combat power to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

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

A Puerto Princesa Airport Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting team, along with a U.S. Marine ARFF team, put out a training fire on the PPA flight line in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Republic of the Philippines, April 22, 2012. The fire fighters trained together with U.S. Marines in support of Balikatan 2012 Task Force Palawan. BK12, in its 28th iteration, is a bilateral, joint exercise conducted annually between the Republic of the Philippines and U.S. military members. The U.S. Marines are with Aviation Operations Company, Marine Wing Support Squadron 172, Marine Wing Support Group 17, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force. - A Puerto Princesa Airport Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting team, along with a U.S. Marine ARFF team, put out a training fire on the PPA flight line in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Republic of the Philippines, April 22, 2012. The fire fighters trained together with U.S. Marines in support of Balikatan 2012 Task Force Palawan. BK12, in its 28th iteration, is a bilateral, joint exercise conducted annually between the Republic of the Philippines and U.S. military members. The U.S. Marines are with Aviation Operations Company, Marine Wing Support Squadron 172, Marine Wing Support Group 17, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force.

A Filipino child from the Bahay Ni Nanay Orphanage flexes his muscles with U.S. Marines on Antonio Bautista Air Base in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Republic of the Philippines, April 21, 2012. The children, Marines and sailors spent several hours together getting to know one another and playing games. The service members are currently here for the duration of Balikatan 2012 and are a part of Task Force Palawan. BK12 is a bilateral, joint exercise conducted annually between the U.S. and the Republic of the Philippines. This year marks the 28th iteration of the nations' exercise. - A Filipino child from the Bahay Ni Nanay Orphanage flexes his muscles with U.S. Marines on Antonio Bautista Air Base in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Republic of the Philippines, April 21, 2012. The children, Marines and sailors spent several hours together getting to know one another and playing games. The service members are currently here for the duration of Balikatan 2012 and are a part of Task Force Palawan. BK12 is a bilateral, joint exercise conducted annually between the U.S. and the Republic of the Philippines. This year marks the 28th iteration of the nations' exercise.

Nathaniel T. Rodriguez asks U.S. air operation Marines questions about their air traffic control equipment on Antonio Bautista Air Base on Puerto Princesa April 17, 2012. The career counterparts are jointly conducting air traffic control for the duration of Balikatan 2012 (BK12) Task Force Palawan. BK12 is a bilateral, joint exercise conducted annually between the U.S. and the Republic of the Philippines. This year marks the 28th iteration of the nations' exercise. - Nathaniel T. Rodriguez asks U.S. air operation Marines questions about their air traffic control equipment on Antonio Bautista Air Base on Puerto Princesa April 17, 2012. The career counterparts are jointly conducting air traffic control for the duration of Balikatan 2012 (BK12) Task Force Palawan. BK12 is a bilateral, joint exercise conducted annually between the U.S. and the Republic of the Philippines. This year marks the 28th iteration of the nations' exercise.

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.

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.