Pacific Marines Stories

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.

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)