US military deploys Patriot air defense missile systems to Philippines during Balikatan 2022 exercise.

Patriot missile air defense systems have been deployed in Aparri, in the Cagayan province, which is located in the northern Philippines, facing the south of Taiwan. This is the first time the US has deployed the system overseas by land and sea.
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U.S. Marines with 1st Battalion, 3d Marines, 3d Marine Division, and Philippine Marines establish coastal defense positions during a bilateral amphibious landing during Balikatan 22 at Claveria, Philippines, March 31, 2022. (Picture source: U.S. Marine Corps/Sgt. Mario A. Ramirez)

US officials said the Patriot missile system was moved ashore during a landing drill in northern Luzon. The operation was part of the 12-day joint exercise taking place from March 28 until April 8. Some 5,100 US military personnel and 3,800 Philippine soldiers are participating in the exercise.

The joint military exercise, known as Balikatan 2022, is focusing on maritime security, amphibious operations, live-fire training, urban operations, aviation operations, counter-terrorism, humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief, according to the US Embassy in Manila. The American and Philippine soldiers practiced joint landings, parachute jumps, and live firing drills.. The drills are seen as an attempt by the US military to show off its readiness to respond to an emergency in the region, m5dergi writes.

Balikatan is an annual exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and U.S. military designed to strengthen bilateral interoperability, capabilities, trust, and cooperation built over decades of shared experiences. Balikatan, Tagalog for ‘shoulder-to-shoulder,’ is a long-standing bilateral exercise between the Philippines and the United States highlighting the deep-rooted partnership between both countries. Balikatan 22 is the 37th iteration of the exercise and coincides with the 75th anniversary of the U.S.-Philippine security cooperation.

A U.S. Navy SEAL participates in a live-fire range during Balikitan 22 at El Nido, Palawan, Philippines, March 30, 2022. (Picture source: U.S. Marine Corps/Sgt. Melanye Martinez)