This month, the Philippines and the United States are holding their largest iteration of their bilateral Balikatan or shoulder-to-shoulder military exercise. The first Balikatan took place in 1991. Since then, the exercise has become a cornerstone of the alliance and a catalyst for interoperability and joint preparedness cooperation.

According to the Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner, this year’s iteration will focus on sophisticated activities, including cyberwarfare, coastal and territorial defense, space-related capabilities, and noncombatant evacuation.