ITBAYAT, Philippines — U.S. Marines and their Filipino counterparts ejected from Black Hawk helicopters during combat exercises Monday in the Philippines’ northernmost island city, along the strategic Bashi Channel off southern Taiwan.
The demonstration of Allied battle readiness in Itbayat, Batanes province, is part of the annual military exercises that began last month, called Balikatan, which in Tagalog means “shoulder to shoulder,” and involving more than 16,000 American and Filipino military personnel.
This year’s exercises by the former treaty allies – the largest yet – are aimed at deterring possible aggression. They come against the backdrop of China’s increasingly assertive actions in the disputed South China Sea, where Chinese and Philippine coast guards and their accompanying ships have had several increasingly tense clashes since last year.
More than 250 French and Australian forces are also participating, along with observers from several allied countries and security partners, led by Japan and European nations. The drills, which began on April 22, will end at the end of this week.
In Monday’s mock battle, U.S. and Filipino forces took up positions on the airfield, surrounded by low hills, as three Army CH-47 Chinook helicopters landed to deliver combat supplies.
1st Marine Lieutenant. Annie Pentaleri said aerial combat reconnaissance and counter-reconnaissance exercises would also be conducted in the remote region. The Associated Press was among a small group of journalists invited to attend the drills.
“We are absolutely prepared for battle and that’s what we train for day in and day out,” said Marine Maj. Robert Patterson. “It is important to improve interoperability with our Philippine counterparts.”
Washington and Manila say the drills are not targeted at any one country and are crucial to improving emergency response in the Philippines, one of the world’s most disaster-prone countries.
However, this year’s exercises focus on territorial defense and are being carried out primarily on two of the most sensitive fault lines in the regional rivalry between China and the United States: the disputed South China Sea and the Bashi Channel.
The critical waterway between Taiwan and the Philippines, a major trade conduit laden with international undersea cables, has been closely monitored and guarded by Chinese and US forces. China considers Taiwan part of its territory, which can be annexed by force if necessary.
In a phone call last month, Chinese President Xi Jinping stressed to President Joe Biden that Beijing will not tolerate separatist activities by Taiwan independence forces, as well as “external leniency and support,” an apparent reference to Washington’s support. to the island.
Biden expressed concern about China’s actions in the South China Sea, including efforts to prevent the Philippines, which Washington is obligated to defend under the treaty, from resupplying its forces in the fiercely contested Second Thomas Shoal.
The Balikatan exercises have included live-fire drills in the disputed South China Sea during joint naval voyages by the United States, France and the Philippines. A plane also dropped food and other supplies on a disputed island occupied by Filipino forces as part of maneuvers in the disputed waters.
Separately on Monday, U.S. and Philippine forces practiced repelling invading forces in the coastal province of Ilocos Norte by firing missiles and artillery shells at floating targets in the sea. The northwestern province faces the South China Sea.
“It was a great success, the weapons were spot on,” said Navy Lt. Gen. Michael Cederholm said.
In escalating high seas clashes in disputed areas, Chinese coast guard vessels have resorted to water cannons, blockades and other dangerous maneuvers that have left Philippine navy personnel injured and supply ships damaged. The Biden administration has repeatedly warned that the United States is obligated to defend the Philippines, its oldest ally in Asia, if attacked.
Washington does not claim the disputed waters, but has declared that freedom of navigation and overflight and the peaceful resolution of disputes are in its national interest.
China has sharply criticized the exercises, saying the Philippines and countries outside Asia are joining forces against Beijing, warning that the exercises could lead to confrontation and undermine regional stability.
Before the exercises, China specifically objected to the transport of a US ground-launched missile system to the northern Philippines. No missiles would be fired, as the objective was solely to familiarize military participants with high-tech weaponry in a tropical environment.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian expressed China’s grave concern over the deployment of the missile system “at China’s doorstep.”