US, AFP forces close Balikatan 2011 exercise in Philippines

April 15, 2011

By Sgt. Scott Akanewich

Story Highlights

  • Balikatan 2011 exercise closes April 15 in Philippines.
  • Exercises tested capabilities and increased them.
  • Lt. Gen. Francis Wiercinski (left), U.S. Army Pacific commander, and Armed Forces of the Philippines Army Rear Adm. Victor Emmanuel Martir, retire the Balikatan 2011 colors during the closing ceremonies April 15 for the bilateral training event at Camp Aguinaldo, Philippines. Wiercinski and Martir were exercise directors for the event. "We have learned a lot from this training," said Martir. "We have tested our capabilities and increased them. Many smiles have been painted on the faces in the community. This is the very essence of what Balikatan is all about." Balikatan, which means "shoulder-to-shoulder" in Tagalog, the official language of the Philippines, is a joint exercise between U.S. and Philippines armed forces during which combat and humanitarian capabilities between the countries were reinforced.

    US, Philippine forces close Balikatan in Philippines

    Lt. Gen. Francis Wiercinski (left), U.S. Army Pacific commander, and Armed Forces of the Philippines Army Rear Adm. Victor Emmanuel Martir, retire the Balikatan 2011 colors during the closing ceremonies April 15 for the bilateral training event at Camp...

  • Lt. Gen. Francis Wiercinski (left), U.S. Army Pacific commander, and Armed Forces of the Philippines Army Gen. Eduardo Oban, look on during closing ceremonies for the bilateral training event Balikatan 2011 April 15 at Camp Aguinaldo, Philippines. Balikatan, which means “shoulder-to-shoulder” in Tagalog, the official language of the Philippines, is an annual joint exercise military exercise between the armed forces of the U.S. and Republic of the Philippines.

    Balikatan 2011 closing ceremony

    Lt. Gen. Francis Wiercinski (left), U.S. Army Pacific commander, and Armed Forces of the Philippines Army Gen. Eduardo Oban, look on during closing ceremonies for the bilateral training event Balikatan 2011 April 15 at Camp Aguinaldo, Philippines...

  • From left to right, Lt. Gen. Francis Wiercinski, U.S. Army Pacific commander; Armed of the Forces Philippines Army Gen. Eduardo Oban, AFP chief of staff; Under Secretary of Defense Affairs Honorio Azcueta; Honorable Leslie Bassett, deputy chief of mission, U.S. Embassy to the Philippines; and Rear Admiral Victor Emmanuel, Philippine exercise director, stand together after the conclusion of closing ceremonies April 15 for Balikatan 2011 at Camp Aguinaldo, Philippines. Balikatan, which means “shoulder-to-shoulder” in Tagalog, the official language of the Philippines, is an annual joint military exercise between the armed forces of the U.S. and Republic of the Philippines.

    US, Philippine officials close Balikatan exercise

    From left to right, Lt. Gen. Francis Wiercinski, U.S. Army Pacific commander; Armed of the Forces Philippines Army Gen. Eduardo Oban, AFP chief of staff; Under Secretary of Defense Affairs Honorio Azcueta; Honorable Leslie Bassett, deputy chief of...

Page last updated Fri April 15th, 2011 at 05:01