MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- SUBIC BAY, Philippines - More than 450 U.S. service members along with a variety of standard military cargo were offloaded here April 17 to take part in Exercise Balikatan 2003.
The personnel were transported from Okinawa, Japan, to here via the High Speed Vessel to make early arrangments before the exercise kicks off.
The exercise is designed to better train Philippine and U.S. air, ground and naval forces to handle any contingencies, emergencies or disasters which may arise throughout the Asia-Pacific region.
According to Capt. Burrell Parmer, Balikatan 2003 U.S. media officer, the exercise is to be conducted in two phases simultaneously.
"The first phase will exercise a combined joint task force headquarters staff and personnel on crisis planning and execution on an operational level focusing on peace enforcement operations," said Parmer. "The second phase consists of cross-training, field-training and humanitarian civil assistance exercises, which are aimed at enhancing interoperability between Philippine and U.S. Forces."
As in the past, training events for the exercise will be held at three venues on the island of Luzon: Clark Air Field, Fort Magsaysay and in the vicinity of Ternate.
Parmer noted that Balikatan 2003 is in no way related to the ongoing counterterrorism training in the southern Philippines or the current operations in Iraq.
"This is a regularly scheduled event. The armed forces of both countries need to conduct joint military exercises to ensure interoperability," said Parmer. "This exercise will ensure a well-coordinated response when the need arises."
Balikatan 2003 is the nineteenth of a series of exercises involving the two nations, which date back to 1981.
According to 1st Sgt. Clifford Grant, company first sergeant, Headquarters and Service Company, Headquarters Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, "any joint task force benefits participants on both sides of the aisle."
Grant went on to say that the personnel who arrived here are excited and more than ready for the challenges of Balikatan 2003.
"Any time they get a chance to go anywhere while they're stationed in Okinawa they're motivated," said Grant.
Lance Cpl. Jade Basgil, a Crash, Fire and Rescue crewmember from Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, stated sentiments along a similar vein.
"We're happy for the opportunity to come here and experience a new training environment," said Basgil. "I think it's a great morale booster to be able to train and talk with our Filipino counterparts."
An openeing ceremony, held today in Manila, officially started Balikatan 2003.