Dateline Kamuning: The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) is closely coordinating with the Balikatan management regarding the reported interruption of the Balikatan 2023 exercise in Zambales by a civilian aircraft flying within the no-fly zone.   The reported incident is currently under investigation, and the Balikatan management together with the CAAP are working together to identify and determine details about the concerned aircraft. CAAP has issued seven notices to airmen (NOTAMs) in the area, which has declared it a no-fly zone.   The CAAP issues airspace restrictions through a NOTAM and ensures that pilots and aircraft operators are briefed by its Air Traffic Service (ATS) before flight plans are accepted, especially with regards to no-fly zones.   The Balikatan exercise is the largest annual bilateral training exercise between the US and Philippine militaries. This year's Balikatan exercise is its 38th and largest iteration to date. ...

Kamuning Dateline:   A combined force of U.S. and Philippine service members participated in a combined joint littoral live-fire exercise today, the culminating field training event for Balikatan 2023. Approximately 1,400 Marines, soldiers, sailors, airmen and Coast Guardsmen from both countries took part in the training, which involved detecting, identifying, targeting and engaging a target ship using a variety of ground and air-based weapons systems. “This training increased the exercise’s realism and complexity, a key priority shared between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the U.S. military,” said Lt. Gen. William Jurney, commander of U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, and the U.S. director for the exercise. “Together we are strengthening our capabilities in full-spectrum military operations across all domains.” Balikatan is the largest annual exercise between the two allies and 2023 marks its 38th iteration and the largest iteration to date, with more than 17,...

Dateline Kamuning: The Philippine Air Force (PAF) has been briefed on the operations and other specifications of the American-made MIM-104 Patriot surface-to-air missile system. In a statement over the weekend, PAF spokesperson Col. Ma. Consuelo Castillo said it was made possible during the air and missile defense subject matter expert exchange (SMEE) conducted by the 38th Air Defense Artillery Brigade of the United States Army at Naval Education, Training and Doctrine Command in San Antonio, Zambales on April 19. ( SMEs from 38th Air Defense Artillery Brigade of the US Army providing an informative learning session about their tour of duty with the Patriot Missile Defense System to 960th AMDG personnel.) "During the learning session, subject matter experts from the 38th Air Defense Artillery Brigade discussed the operations, role, various specifications, capabilities, and key parts of the Patriot missile defense system involving the radar set, engagement control station, missile ...

Dateline Kamuning:   Defense Secretary Carlito G. Galvez, Jr. and United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III held a ‘productive’ and ‘meaningful’ meeting during the latter’s official visit at the Department of National Defense on Thursday. “The visit of US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin III here in the Philippines signifies a strong bond and enduring partnership between the Philippines and the United States, particularly in the areas of humanitarian assistance, economic development, and peace and security among others,” said Galvez. Accelerating implementation of EDCA The Defense Chiefs reiterated the commitment of the Philippines and the US to collaborate and accelerate the implementation of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA). They announced the agreement to designate four (4) new Agreed Locations under EDCA in strategic areas of the country. According to Austin, the meeting included discussions on how Philippine and US forces can operate toget...