Makikilahok sa joint exercises sa buong bansa ang 3,800 AFP at 5,100 United States military members.
Dumalo sa opening ceremony si Defense Undersecretary Cardozo Luna; AFP Chief of Staff General Andres Centino; Major General Charlton Sean Gaerlan, Philippine Exercise Director and Commander ng AFP Education, Training and Doctrines Command; Major General Jay Bargeron, U.S. Exercise Director; at U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires, Heather Variava.
“Each year through Balikatan, we reaffirm our commitment to each other under the Mutual Defense Treaty and we execute an array of bilateral training event to help us develop interoperability and maintain readiness as allies,” pahayag ni Bargeron.
Sa Exercise Balikatan sa taong 2022, layong mapalakas ang kakayahan at kooperasyon sa maritime security, amphibious operations, live fire training, urban operations, aviation operations, counterterrorism at humanitarian assistance at disaster relief.
Ani Gaerlan, “Undoubtedly, these activities will positively impact our force readiness and strengthen our robust alliance.”
Ang Balikatan ang pinakamalaking training activity ng AFP kasama ang Amerika.
“The Balikatan Exercises affirm that the United States and the Philippines are not alone in espousing peace, security and cooperation in the region,” saad ni Luna.
Mapapagtibay din ang abilidad ng mga pwersa upang makapagtulungan, at madagdagan ang kakayahang makapagbigay ng pagsasanay at tulong sa crisis-action planning and humanitarian and civic assistance operations.
“This combined joint exercise is an opportunity for the United States and the Philippines to reaffirm our commitment to even more robust ties and to a relationship that remains highly relevant as the world faces new and continuing challenges,” pahayag ni Variava.
Hinikayat naman ng AFP Chief of Staff ang mga kalahok na samantalahin ang mga oportunidad sa naturang pagsasanay.
“I urge all the Filipino and American soldiers who are taking part in this year’s Balikatan Exercise to embody professionalism, excellence and camaraderie as we maximize the opportunities offered to us in this event,” ani Centino.
Dagdag nito, “I am confident that both of our Armed Forces shall reap immense benefits from this exercise as we continue to pursue our shared goals of regional peace, security and stability.”