The Philippines–US Balikatan 41–2026 exercises officially kicked off Monday morning at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City.
AFP Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner Jr., US Chargé d’Affaires ad interim Y. Robert Ewing, Philippine Exercise Director Maj. Gen. Francisco Lorenzo Jr., Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations (J3) Maj. Gen. Elmer Suderio, and the Commanding General of the US Marine Expeditionary Force Lt. Gen. Christian Wortman led the ceremony.
The opening program featured the unfurling of the Balikatan flag and the ceremonial patching of participants with the Balikatan insignia.
Balikatan 41–2026 brings together more than 17,000 service personnel from the Philippines, the United States, and partner nations. Participating forces are deploying a robust mix of air, land, and maritime assets for the exercises, demonstrating growing interoperability with allies and ongoing modernization efforts. Partner countries taking part include New Zealand, Canada, Japan, France, and Australia. (Photos by Walter Bollozos/The Philippine STAR)
