U.S. Marine Lt. Gen. Duane D. Thiessen, commanding general of U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, answers questions from national and international press during an April 22 press conference at Western Command headquarters, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, Republic of the Philippines, as part of Exercise Balikatan 2012. Thiessen was accompanied by his counterpart, Philippine Marine Lt. Gen. Juancho M. Sabban, commander, Western Command. Balikatan, which means 'shoulder to shoulder' in Filipino, is an annual bilateral training exercise aimed at improving Republic of the Philippines and U.S. military force interoperability during planning, contingency, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations.