TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The 2024 Balikatan military exercises held by the United States and the Philippines practiced rapid deployment of HIMARS rocket batteries to defend coastal territory.
The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command issued a press release covering some details of the exercises on Friday (May 3) that said the scope of this year’s exercises is more complex and far-reaching in terms of operational capabilities than in previous years. The exercises began on April 24 and are set to conclude on May 10.
The Balikatan 2024 exercises reportedly involve “joint all domain operations across more than 1,000 miles of Philippine territory over 16 days, involving more than a dozen units across the combined force.”
In Palawan, joint forces engaged in live-fire exercises that simulated the loading, transport, and unloading of HIMARS missile batteries in a battle zone. US and Philippine Marines also practiced rapid infiltration capabilities to secure territory, where the missiles systems could establish firing positions.
The HIMARS systems were then successfully tested with training rockets and artillery to strike “notional targets” in the area, according to the press release.
“This caliber of training prepares both our nations to defend our shores as a team and drives home the value of standing shoulder-to-shoulder in the fighting hole,” said U.S. Marine Corps Col. Sean Dynan.
The next phase of the HIMARS exercises will involve transport and rapid infiltration operations in Northern Luzon, per reports.
The Balikatan 24 executive agent of the Armed Forces of the Philippines Col. Mike Logico said “The main goal of the exercise’s objective is to demonstrate the strength of the alliance and our willingness to defend our territory.”
On Saturday (May 4), Logico shared a photo on social media showing a model of a vessel similar to the Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning. Included with the photo is the message “Done with our Rehearsal of Concept. We are ready to execute.”
