Pacific Marines Stories

Philippine Soldiers and U.S. service members hosted a disaster preparedness symposium during Balikatan 2017 in Ormoc City, Leyte, May 2, 2017. The Armed Forces of the Philippines along with representatives from Japan Self-Defense Force, Australian Defense Force, and U.S. military worked with a local barangay to improve health conditions and disaster preparedness. 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. - Philippine Soldiers and U.S. service members hosted a disaster preparedness symposium during Balikatan 2017 in Ormoc City, Leyte, May 2, 2017. The Armed Forces of the Philippines along with representatives from Japan Self-Defense Force, Australian Defense Force, and U.S. military worked with a local barangay to improve health conditions and disaster preparedness. 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.

Philippine and U.S. service members detonate explosives during an underwater construction demolition dive in support of Balikatan 2017 at Ipil Port in Ormoc City, Leyte, May 10, 2017. The demolition training prepares the U.S. military and Armed Forces of the Philippines to clear debris in ports and open up supply lines for victims of natural disasters and crises. Underwater demolition can help Philippine and U.S. forces provide humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations from the sea to remote areas of the Philippines. - Philippine and U.S. service members detonate explosives during an underwater construction demolition dive in support of Balikatan 2017 at Ipil Port in Ormoc City, Leyte, May 10, 2017. The demolition training prepares the U.S. military and Armed Forces of the Philippines to clear debris in ports and open up supply lines for victims of natural disasters and crises. Underwater demolition can help Philippine and U.S. forces provide humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations from the sea to remote areas of the Philippines.

Armed Forces of the Philippines Lt. Gen. Oscar T. Lactao, left, The Honorable Ambassador Sung Y. Kim, Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana, Under Secretary Ariel Y. Abadilla, AFP Gen. Edruardo M. Año, and U.S. Marine Lt. Gen. Lawrence D. Nicholson stand “shoulder-to-shoulder” and shake hands during the opening ceremony for Balikatan 2017 at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, May 8, 2017. Lactao is the Philippine exercise director for Balikatan. Kim is the U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines. Lorenzana is the Philippine Secretary of National Defense. Abadilla is the Philippine Undersecretary for Civilian Security and Consular Concerns. Año is the Chief of Staff of the AFP. Nicholson is the commanding general of III Marine Expeditionary Force. Balikatan is an annual U.S.-Philippine bilateral military exercise focused on a variety of missions including humanitarian and disaster relief, counterterrorism, and other combined military operations. - Armed Forces of the Philippines Lt. Gen. Oscar T. Lactao, left, The Honorable Ambassador Sung Y. Kim, Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana, Under Secretary Ariel Y. Abadilla, AFP Gen. Edruardo M. Año, and U.S. Marine Lt. Gen. Lawrence D. Nicholson stand “shoulder-to-shoulder” and shake hands during the opening ceremony for Balikatan 2017 at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, May 8, 2017. Lactao is the Philippine exercise director for Balikatan. Kim is the U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines. Lorenzana is the Philippine Secretary of National Defense. Abadilla is the Philippine Undersecretary for Civilian Security and Consular Concerns. Año is the Chief of Staff of the AFP. Nicholson is the commanding general of III Marine Expeditionary Force. Balikatan is an annual U.S.-Philippine bilateral military exercise focused on a variety of missions including humanitarian and disaster relief, counterterrorism, and other combined military operations.

Australian Army Spr. Joshua Park, left, and Cpl. Steven Mlinaric pose for a photo during Balikatan 2017 in Ormoc City, Leyte, April 29, 2017. Australian Soldiers, U.S. service members, and the Armed Forces of the Philippines worked together to build new classrooms at Margen Elementary School in Ormoc City. 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. - Australian Army Spr. Joshua Park, left, and Cpl. Steven Mlinaric pose for a photo during Balikatan 2017 in Ormoc City, Leyte, April 29, 2017. Australian Soldiers, U.S. service members, and the Armed Forces of the Philippines worked together to build new classrooms at Margen Elementary School in Ormoc City. 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.

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 makes a test call on a AN/PRC-117G radio 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 makes a test call on a AN/PRC-117G radio 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 Lance Cpl. Brook Klahn with 9th Engineer Support Battalion poses for a group photo with the local kids during Balikatan 2017 in Ormoc City, Leyte, April 24, 2017. Armed Forces of the Philippines along with U.S. military engineers worked together to build a new classroom at Don Carlos 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. The increased interoperability will enhance readiness of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief capabilities. - U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Brook Klahn with 9th Engineer Support Battalion poses for a group photo with the local kids during Balikatan 2017 in Ormoc City, Leyte, April 24, 2017. Armed Forces of the Philippines along with U.S. military engineers worked together to build a new classroom at Don Carlos 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. The increased interoperability will enhance readiness of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief capabilities.