AMPHIBIOUS RAID EXERCISE. The Philippines and US forces hold amphibious raid exercises at the beachhead of Barangay Samariñana in Brooke’s Point, Palawan on April 14, 2023. The Philippine Coast Guard will join for the first time the Armed Forces of the Philippines in the 39th annual Balikatan Exercise starting April 22. (Photo courtesy of Naval Forces West)
MANILA – The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) will join for the first time the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in the 39th annual Balikatan Exercise from April 22 to May 10.
In a statement on Thursday, PCG spokesperson Rear Admiral Armando Balilo said the PCG would be part of the joint interoperability exercises among the Philippines, Australia, France, and the United States.
“The (PCG) will deploy four 44-meter multi-role response vessels (MRRVs) and two larger patrol vessels that regularly conduct maritime security operations in the country’s exclusive economic zones (EEZs),” Balilo said.
Members of the Coast Guard Special Operations Force will also join the Balikatan.
On Tuesday, Balikatan 2024 executive agent Col. Michael Logico said several of the country’s vessels would be on full display during the latest Balikatan – the FF-151 (missile frigate BRP Antonio Luna), LD-602 (BRP Davao Del Sur), PS-16 (offshore patrol vessel BRP Ramon Alcaraz), FA-50s (light jet fighters), Super Tucanos (A-29B close air support aircraft), Black Hawks (S-70is combat utility helicopters), and the Philippine Air Force's Israeli-made SPYDER air defense missile batteries.
On the other hand, the US will deploy its fifth generation F-22 “Raptor,” the F-35 “Lightning II,” AH 64 “Apache” attack helicopters, AC-130 “Spooky” gunships, and at least two naval ships.
An estimated 16,000 troops from the US and the Philippines are expected to participate in the 19-day exercise. (PNA)
