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	Philippine, US forces demonstrate flexibility, operational reach in simultaneous missions during Balikatan
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        <h1 class="title">Philippine, US forces demonstrate flexibility, operational reach in simultaneous missions during Balikatan</h1>
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                 alt="U.S. Navy Landing Craft, Air Cushion 45, attached to AssaultCraft Unit 5, prepares to land ashore with an M142 High Mobility Rocket System assigned to 3rd Platoon, Alpha Battery, 1st Long Range Fires Battalion, 1st Multi-Domain Task Force as part of a HIMARS Rapid Infiltration drill during Exercise Balikatan 24 at San Vicente, Philippines, May 1, 2024. BK 24 is an annual exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the U.S. military designed to strengthen bilateral interoperability, capabilities, trust, and cooperation built over decades of shared experiences. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Kyle Chan)"
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                <div class="image-title">240501-M-MO098-1272</div>
                <div class="image-caption">U.S. Navy Landing Craft, Air Cushion 45, attached to AssaultCraft Unit 5, prepares to land ashore with an M142 High Mobility Rocket System assigned to 3rd Platoon, Alpha Battery, 1st Long Range Fires Battalion, 1st Multi-Domain Task Force as part of a HIMARS Rapid Infiltration drill during Exercise Balikatan 24 at San Vicente, Philippines, May 1, 2024. BK 24 is an annual exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the U.S. military designed to strengthen bilateral interoperability, capabilities, trust, and cooperation built over decades of shared experiences. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Kyle Chan)</div>
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                 alt="U.S. Army Soldiers with 3rd Platoon, Alpha Battery, 1st Long Range Fires Battalion, 1st Multi-Domain Task Force e load and unload an M142 High Mobility Rocket System from an MC-130J Commando II assigned to 353rd Special Operations Wing in preparation for a HIMARS Rapid Infiltration drill at San Vicente Airport, Philippines, May 1, 2024. BK 24 is an annual exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the U.S. military designed to strengthen bilateral interoperability, capabilities, trust, and cooperation built over decades of shared experiences. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Kyle Chan) (portions of this image have been blurred for security reasons)"
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                <div class="image-caption">U.S. Army Soldiers with 3rd Platoon, Alpha Battery, 1st Long Range Fires Battalion, 1st Multi-Domain Task Force e load and unload an M142 High Mobility Rocket System from an MC-130J Commando II assigned to 353rd Special Operations Wing in preparation for a HIMARS Rapid Infiltration drill at San Vicente Airport, Philippines, May 1, 2024. BK 24 is an annual exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the U.S. military designed to strengthen bilateral interoperability, capabilities, trust, and cooperation built over decades of shared experiences. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Kyle Chan) (portions of this image have been blurred for security reasons)</div>
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                 alt="Philippine Marines plot points on a grid prior to a High Mobility Rocket System live-fire training event during Exercise Balikatan 24 at Rizal, Luzon, Philippines, May 2, 2024. BK 24 is an annual exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the U.S. military designed to strengthen bilateral interoperability, capabilities, trust, and cooperation built over decades of shared experiences. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Kyle Chan)"
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                <div class="image-caption">Philippine Marines plot points on a grid prior to a High Mobility Rocket System live-fire training event during Exercise Balikatan 24 at Rizal, Luzon, Philippines, May 2, 2024. BK 24 is an annual exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the U.S. military designed to strengthen bilateral interoperability, capabilities, trust, and cooperation built over decades of shared experiences. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Kyle Chan)</div>
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                 alt="Philippine Marines conduct rehearsals with M101 105mm Howitzers prior to a live-fire training event during Exercise Balikatan 24 at Rizal, Luzon, Philippines, May 2, 2024. BK 24 is an annual exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the U.S. military designed to strengthen bilateral interoperability, capabilities, trust, and cooperation built over decades of shared experiences. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Kyle Chan)"
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                <div class="image-caption">Philippine Marines conduct rehearsals with M101 105mm Howitzers prior to a live-fire training event during Exercise Balikatan 24 at Rizal, Luzon, Philippines, May 2, 2024. BK 24 is an annual exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the U.S. military designed to strengthen bilateral interoperability, capabilities, trust, and cooperation built over decades of shared experiences. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Kyle Chan)</div>
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                 alt="A Philippine Marine conducts a rehearsal with a M101 105mm Howitzer prior to a live-fire training event during Exercise Balikatan 24 at Rizal, Luzon, Philippines, May 2, 2024. BK 24 is an annual exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the U.S. military designed to strengthen bilateral interoperability, capabilities, trust, and cooperation built over decades of shared experiences. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Kyle Chan)"
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                <div class="image-caption">A Philippine Marine conducts a rehearsal with a M101 105mm Howitzer prior to a live-fire training event during Exercise Balikatan 24 at Rizal, Luzon, Philippines, May 2, 2024. BK 24 is an annual exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the U.S. military designed to strengthen bilateral interoperability, capabilities, trust, and cooperation built over decades of shared experiences. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Kyle Chan)</div>
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                 alt="U.S. Marines with Weapons Company, Battalion Landing Team 1/5, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, U.S. Army Soldiers with 3rd Platoon, Alpha Battery, 1st Long Range Fires Battalion, 1st Multi-Domain Task Force, and Philippine Marines, conduct a safety brief prior to a High Mobility Rocket System live-fire training event during Exercise Balikatan 24 at Rizal, Luzon, Philippines, May 2, 2024. BK 24 is an annual exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the U.S. military designed to strengthen bilateral interoperability, capabilities, trust, and cooperation built over decades of shared experiences. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Kyle Chan)"
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                <div class="image-caption">U.S. Marines with Weapons Company, Battalion Landing Team 1/5, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, U.S. Army Soldiers with 3rd Platoon, Alpha Battery, 1st Long Range Fires Battalion, 1st Multi-Domain Task Force, and Philippine Marines, conduct a safety brief prior to a High Mobility Rocket System live-fire training event during Exercise Balikatan 24 at Rizal, Luzon, Philippines, May 2, 2024. BK 24 is an annual exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the U.S. military designed to strengthen bilateral interoperability, capabilities, trust, and cooperation built over decades of shared experiences. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Kyle Chan)</div>
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                 alt="U.S. Army Soldiers with 3rd Platoon, Alpha Battery, 1st Long Range Fires Battalion, 1st Multi-Domain Task Force, and Sailors with Assault Craft Unit 5, unload an M142 High Mobility Rocket System onto Landing Craft, Air Cushion 8, during Exercise Balikatan 24 at Rizal, Luzon, Philippines, May 2, 2024. BK 24 is an annual exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the U.S. military designed to strengthen bilateral interoperability, capabilities, trust, and cooperation built over decades of shared experiences. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Kyle Chan)"
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                <div class="image-caption">U.S. Army Soldiers with 3rd Platoon, Alpha Battery, 1st Long Range Fires Battalion, 1st Multi-Domain Task Force, and Sailors with Assault Craft Unit 5, unload an M142 High Mobility Rocket System onto Landing Craft, Air Cushion 8, during Exercise Balikatan 24 at Rizal, Luzon, Philippines, May 2, 2024. BK 24 is an annual exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the U.S. military designed to strengthen bilateral interoperability, capabilities, trust, and cooperation built over decades of shared experiences. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Kyle Chan)</div>
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                 alt="U.S. Soldiers with 3rd Platoon, Alpha Battery, 1st Long Range Fires Battalion, 1st Multi-Domain Task Force, and Sailors with AssaultCraft Unit 5, load an M142 High Mobility Rocket System onto a U.S. Navy Landing Craft, Air Cushion 8, during Exercise Balikatan 24 at San Vicente, Philippines, May 1, 2024. BK 24 is an annual exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the U.S. military designed to strengthen bilateral interoperability, capabilities, trust, and cooperation built over decades of shared experiences. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Kyle Chan)"
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                <div class="image-title">240501-M-MO098-1363</div>
                <div class="image-caption">U.S. Soldiers with 3rd Platoon, Alpha Battery, 1st Long Range Fires Battalion, 1st Multi-Domain Task Force, and Sailors with AssaultCraft Unit 5, load an M142 High Mobility Rocket System onto a U.S. Navy Landing Craft, Air Cushion 8, during Exercise Balikatan 24 at San Vicente, Philippines, May 1, 2024. BK 24 is an annual exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the U.S. military designed to strengthen bilateral interoperability, capabilities, trust, and cooperation built over decades of shared experiences. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Kyle Chan)</div>
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                 alt="U.S. Army Soldiers with 3rd Platoon, Alpha Battery, 1st Long Range Fires Battalion, 1st Multi-Domain Task Force, prepare to load an M142 High Mobility Rocket System onto a U.S. Navy Landing Craft, Air Cushion 8, attached to Amphibious Craft Unit 5, during Exercise Balikatan 24 at San Vicente, Philippines, May 1, 2024. BK 24 is an annual exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the U.S. military designed to strengthen bilateral interoperability, capabilities, trust, and cooperation built over decades of shared experiences. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Kyle Chan)"
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                <div class="image-caption">U.S. Army Soldiers with 3rd Platoon, Alpha Battery, 1st Long Range Fires Battalion, 1st Multi-Domain Task Force, prepare to load an M142 High Mobility Rocket System onto a U.S. Navy Landing Craft, Air Cushion 8, attached to Amphibious Craft Unit 5, during Exercise Balikatan 24 at San Vicente, Philippines, May 1, 2024. BK 24 is an annual exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the U.S. military designed to strengthen bilateral interoperability, capabilities, trust, and cooperation built over decades of shared experiences. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Kyle Chan)</div>
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                 alt="U.S. Soldiers with 3rd Platoon, Alpha Battery, 1st Long Range Fires Battalion, 1st Multi-Domain Task Force conduct a High Mobility Rocket System Rapid Infiltration drill during Exercise Balikatan 24 at San Vicente Airport, Philippines, May 1, 2024. BK 24 is an annual exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the U.S. military designed to strengthen bilateral interoperability, capabilities, trust, and cooperation built over decades of shared experiences. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Kyle Chan)"
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                <div class="image-caption">U.S. Soldiers with 3rd Platoon, Alpha Battery, 1st Long Range Fires Battalion, 1st Multi-Domain Task Force conduct a High Mobility Rocket System Rapid Infiltration drill during Exercise Balikatan 24 at San Vicente Airport, Philippines, May 1, 2024. BK 24 is an annual exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the U.S. military designed to strengthen bilateral interoperability, capabilities, trust, and cooperation built over decades of shared experiences. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Kyle Chan)</div>
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                 alt="U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Ruben Pickering, a forward air control officer with Battalion Landing Team 1/5, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, coordinates air traffic in preparation for a HIMARS Rapid Infiltration drill during Exercise Balikatan 24 at San Vicente Airport, Philippines, May 1, 2024. BK 24 is an annual exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the U.S. military designed to strengthen bilateral interoperability, capabilities, trust, and cooperation built over decades of shared experiences. Pickering is a native of Costa Rica. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Kyle Chan)"
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                <div class="image-caption">U.S. Marine Corps Capt. Ruben Pickering, a forward air control officer with Battalion Landing Team 1/5, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, coordinates air traffic in preparation for a HIMARS Rapid Infiltration drill during Exercise Balikatan 24 at San Vicente Airport, Philippines, May 1, 2024. BK 24 is an annual exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the U.S. military designed to strengthen bilateral interoperability, capabilities, trust, and cooperation built over decades of shared experiences. Pickering is a native of Costa Rica. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Kyle Chan)</div>
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    <div><b>By Courtesy Story,</b> <span class="date">/ Published May 7, 2024</span></div>
    <span class="dateline-text">CAMP AGUINALDO, Quezon City, Philippines, </span>
    <p><span style="font-size:larger;">Philippine and U.S. military forces participating in Balikatan 24 concluded the second iteration of maritime key terrain security operations today, exercising their collective ability to secure several islands in the Batanes Island group approximately 1,000 miles north of where combined forces conducted similar operations in Palawan last week.</span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:larger;">Simultaneously, elements of the 1st Multi-Domain Task Force and their counterparts in the Armed Forces of the Philippines conducted a second rapid infiltration (HIRAIN) operation into Northern Luzon.</span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:larger;">These combined, joint all-domain operations brought together and integrated more than a dozen units to secure and protect the Philippines’ maritime terrain, territorial waters, and national sovereignty across the archipelago.</span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:larger;">“In Northern Luzon, a rifle company of U.S. Marines with 3rd Littoral Combat Team (3d LCT) partnered with Philippine Marines from 4th Marine Brigade to secure key maritime terrain in a scenario designed to preserve Philippine territorial integrity in support of the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ Archipelagic Coastal Defense Concept,” said U.S. Marine Lt. Col. Mark Lenzi, battalion commander of 3d LCT, 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment. “During this exercise, 3d LCT conducted expeditionary advanced base operations, supported maritime domain awareness, and conducted reconnaissance and counter reconnaissance to demonstrate stand-in force capabilities to the combined and joint force.”</span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:larger;">The northern Batanes islands of Mavulis, Itbayat, and Batan were the primary training sites for the combined maritime key terrain security operations, while the Lal-lo airfield and Port of Irene in the province of Cayagan served as the training sites for High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) HIRAIN operations.</span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:larger;">During the HIRAIN operations, combined forces rapidly positioned and repositioned HIMARS weapons systems at designated locations across the province and simulated (non-live fire) strike operations against notional threats. This training increases bilateral interoperability in complex littoral and coastal defense operations.</span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:larger;">“The HIRAIN exercise showcased the strength of our partnership with the Armed Forces of the Philippines, demonstrating the versatility and interoperability of our military capabilities,” said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Benjamin Blan, commander of 5th Battalion, 3rd Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Multi-Domain Task Force.</span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:larger;">The first iteration of the combined and joint all-domain training commenced on April 24 in Palawan at the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement sites located on Antonio Bautista Air Base and Balabac Island. Training activities included expeditionary mine hunting, sonar hydrographic surveys, reconnaissance drills, amphibious landings, and air assault drills to secure key maritime terrain and establish expeditionary advanced bases and forward arming and refueling points; and HIRAIN operations to rapidly transport, insert, and assume firing positions to project combat power within the area via a HIMARS live-fire event.</span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:larger;">All these operations together facilitate the all-domain, multi-modal maneuver required to operate in a rapidly evolving security environment.</span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:larger;">Units supporting the maritime key terrain security operations and HIRAIN included: the Philippine Marine Corps’ 4th Marine Brigade; the U.S. Army 1st Multi-Domain Task Force; the U.S. Marine Corps’ 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment; and the U.S. Air Force’s 317th Airlift Wing and 353rd Special Operations Wing.</span></p>
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