Annual Balikatan 2009 exercise begins in the Philippines

By Capt. Ken Ola, 105th Troop Command, Guam National GuardApril 24, 2009

Annual Balikatan 2009 exercise at Fort Magsaysay begins
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Soldiers assigned to 1st Battalion, 294th Infantry Regiment, Guam National Guard, teach a Filipino soldier how to properly fire a 50-caliber machine gun during training at Fort Magsaysay during Balikatan 2009. Balikatan, which is Tagalog for "should... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Annual Balikatan 2009 exercise at Fort Magsaysay begins
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Annual Balikatan 2009 exercise at Fort Magsaysay begins
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A Soldier assigned to 1st Battalion, 294th Infantry Regiment, Guam National Guard, teach a Filipino soldier how to fire an 81mm mortar during training on Fort Magsaysay during Balikatan 2009. This is the 25th year that the month-long exercise has bee... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT MAGSAYSAY, Philippines - Balikatan 2009 jumped off to a running start as Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 294th Infantry Regiment, Guam National Guard, joined together with Republic of the Philippine soldiers from the 49th Infantry Battalion at Fort Magsaysay military reservation in Nueva Ecija, approximately four hours from the Philippine capital of Manila.

Balikatan, which translates from Tagalog into "shoulder-to-shoulder," is an annual exercise which brings together the U.S. and RP militaries to ensure their militaries' readiness and interoperability in the event of a natural disaster and to provide humanitarian relief needs.

Beginning April 14, Soldiers trained on a variety of weapons to include the M16 rifle, M24 sniper rifle, 81mm mortar and the 50-caliber machine gun. The Soldiers from the 1st Bn. 294th Inf. Regt. also gave training on the Modern Army Combatives Program, and the Combat Lifesaver Course to their Filipino counterparts.

"It's been a very aggressive training plan and our counterparts have been very receptive and are looking towards more bilateral training," said Capt. Gerard Baleto, the operations officer assigned to the 1st Bn. 294th Inf. Regt.

Training will end with a squad and platoon-level live-fire exercise incorporating their new knowledge.

"The 49th seems to be appreciative of what we're providing," said Lt. Col. George Charfauros, battalion commander, 1st Bn. 294th Inf. Regt.

It motivates the U.S. Soldiers when those they train with are receptive to the training, he added.

"It makes them feel like they're doing something worthwhile."

Related Links:

U.S. Army Pacific (USARPAC) Website