U.S. Marine with Philippines Marines Forces Joint Coastal Defense Operations in Philippines Beach

Philippine marine troops from the 3rd Marine Brigade, along with members of the United States Marine Corps, conducted a coastal defense capability demonstration as part of the Balikatan exercise.

The exercise, which involved maritime domain awareness and integrating small unmanned aerial systems (SUAS) with marine operating forces for coastal defense operations, aimed to enhance the cooperation and readiness of the participating forces in dealing with various scenarios and challenges.

Filipino marines depended on joint exercises with foreign allies like the US for training in the use of AAVs, the 400 sailors, marines, and reservists who participated in this exercise

The drills will involve some 1,500 military personnel, including reservists.
amphibious assault exercise included a total of around 400 marines, sailors, and reservists.

The AAVs were yet another installment of the years-long AFP Modernization Program aimed at giving the Philippines a credible defense posture amid security threats, particularly in the West Philippine Sea, and terrorists sneaking into the country through the Sulu Sea.