U.S. trooper prepares their U.S. Army CH-47 at Paredes Air Station at Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte province during a joint military exercise in northern Philippines on Monday, May 6, 2024. American and Filipino marines held annual combat-readiness exercises called Balikatan, Tagalog for shoulder-to-shoulder, in a show of allied military readiness in the Philippines’ northernmost town facing southern Taiwan. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
U.S. troops takes cover from dust as a U.S .Army UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter prepares to land at Paredes Air Station at Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte province, during a joint military exercise in northern Philippines on Monday, May 6, 2024. American and Filipino marines held annual combat-readiness exercises called Balikatan, Tagalog for shoulder-to-shoulder, in a show of allied military readiness in the Philippines’ northernmost town facing southern Taiwan. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
U.S. troopers gather at the airport at the Philippines’ northernmost town of Itbayat, Batanes province during a joint military exercise on Monday, May 6, 2024. American and Filipino marines held annual combat-readiness exercises called Balikatan, Tagalog for shoulder-to-shoulder, in a show of allied military readiness in the Philippines’ northernmost town facing southern Taiwan. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
Philippine marines carry equipment beside U.S. marines at Paredes Air Station at Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte province during a joint military exercise in northern Philippines on Monday, May 6, 2024. American and Filipino marines held annual combat-readiness exercises called Balikatan, Tagalog for shoulder-to-shoulder, in a show of allied military readiness in the Philippines’ northernmost town facing southern Taiwan. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
U.S. troopers prepare to board a U.S. Army CH-47s at Paredes Air Station at Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte province as it carries U.S. and Philippine troops during a joint military exercise in northern Philippines on Monday, May 6, 2024. American and Filipino marines held annual combat-readiness exercises called Balikatan, Tagalog for shoulder-to-shoulder, in a show of allied military readiness in the Philippines’ northernmost town facing southern Taiwan. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
U.S. and Philippine troops ride a U.S. CH-47 helicopter at the Philippines’ northernmost town of Itbayat, Batanes province during a joint military exercise on Monday, May 6, 2024. American and Filipino marines held annual combat-readiness exercises called Balikatan, Tagalog for shoulder-to-shoulder, in a show of allied military readiness in the Philippines’ northernmost town facing southern Taiwan. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
A U.S. marine drinks as he waits under the scorching sun at the airport of the Philippines’ northernmost town of Itbayat, Batanes province during a joint military exercise on Monday, May 6, 2024. American and Filipino marines held annual combat-readiness exercises called Balikatan, Tagalog for shoulder-to-shoulder, in a show of allied military readiness in the Philippines’ northernmost town facing southern Taiwan. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
U.S. marines secure an area at the airport of the Philippines’ northernmost town of Itbayat, Batanes province during a joint military exercise on Monday, May 6, 2024. American and Filipino marines held annual combat-readiness exercises called Balikatan, Tagalog for shoulder-to-shoulder, in a show of allied military readiness in the Philippines’ northernmost town facing southern Taiwan. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
U.S. and Philippine marines wait at the airport of the Philippines’ northernmost town of Itbayat, Batanes province during a joint military exercise on Monday, May 6, 2024. American and Filipino marines held annual combat-readiness exercises called Balikatan, Tagalog for shoulder-to-shoulder, in a show of allied military readiness in the Philippines’ northernmost town facing southern Taiwan. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
U.S. marines secure an area at the airport of the Philippines’ northernmost town of Itbayat, Batanes province during a joint military exercise on Monday, May 6, 2024. American and Filipino marines held annual combat-readiness exercises called Balikatan, Tagalog for shoulder-to-shoulder, in a show of allied military readiness in the Philippines’ northernmost town facing southern Taiwan. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
US and Philippine forces stage combat drills near strategic channel off southern Taiwan
ITBAYAT, Philippines (AP) 鈥 U.S. Marines and their Filipino counterparts darted out of Black Hawk helicopters during combat drills Monday in the Philippines鈥 northernmost island town along the strategic Bashi Channel off southern Taiwan 鈥 a flashpoint in the military rivalry between Washington and Beijing.
U.S. trooper prepares their U.S. Army CH-47 at Paredes Air Station at Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte province during a joint military exercise in northern Philippines on Monday, May 6, 2024. American and Filipino marines held annual combat-readiness exercises called Balikatan, Tagalog for shoulder-to-shoulder, in a show of allied military readiness in the Philippines’ northernmost town facing southern Taiwan. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)
By Jim Gomez And Aaron Favila The Associated Press
ITBAYAT, Philippines (AP) 鈥 U.S. Marines and their Filipino counterparts darted out of Black Hawk helicopters during combat drills Monday in the Philippines鈥 northernmost island town along the strategic Bashi Channel off southern Taiwan 鈥 a flashpoint in the military rivalry between Washington and Beijing.
The show of allied battle readiness in Itbayat in Batanes province is part of annual military exercises that started last month, dubbed and involving more than 16,000 American and Philippine military personnel.
This year’s exercises by the longtime treaty allies 鈥 the largest yet 鈥 are meant to deter possible aggression. They come against the backdrop of China鈥檚 increasingly assertive actions in the disputed South China Sea, where Chinese and Philippine coast guards and accompanying ships have had several
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More than 250 French and Australian forces are also participating, along with observers from several allied and security partner nations, led by Japan and European nations. The drills, which began April 22, end later this week.
In Monday’s mock battle scenario, American and Filipino forces took positions at the airfield, ringed by low-lying hills, as three Army CH-47 Chinook helicopters landed to deliver combat supplies.
Marine 1st Lt. Annie Pentaleri said aerial combat reconnaissance and counter-reconnaissance drills were also planned in the far-flung region. The Associated Press was among a small group of journalists invited to attend the maneuvers.
“We are absolutely battle-ready and that鈥檚 what we train for day in and day out,鈥 Marine Maj. Robert Patterson said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 important to enhance inter-operability with our Filipino counterparts.鈥
Washington and Manila say the drills are not directed at any country and are crucial for improving the response to emergencies in the Philippines, one of the world鈥檚 most disaster-prone countries.
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However, this year’s drills focus on territorial defense and are being staged mainly in two of the most sensitive fault lines in the regional rivalry between China and the United States: the and the Bashi Channel.
The critical waterway between Taiwan and the Philippines, an important trade conduit laden with international undersea cables, has been closely watched and guarded by Chinese and American forces. China considers Taiwant a part .
In a telephone call last month, Chinese President that Beijing will not tolerate separatist activities by Taiwan鈥檚 independence forces, as well as 鈥渆xterior indulgence and support,鈥 an apparent reference to Washington鈥檚 support for the island.
Biden raised concerns about China鈥檚 actions in the South China Sea, including efforts to impede the Philippines, which Washington is treaty-obligated to defend, from resupplying its forces on the fiercely disputed Second Thomas Shoal.
Derek Grossman, a senior defense analyst at RAND Corporation, said the message of deterrence was important. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.‘s decision to allow U.S. forces indefinite access to two Philippine air force and naval bases in Cagayan province near Batanes under a 2014 defense pact, 鈥渨ould likely upgrade the U.S. military鈥檚 ability to intervene in a Taiwan contingency in a more timely manner,” he said.
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“Right now, a big concern is the U.S. simply won鈥檛 get there in time,鈥 Grossman added.
The Balikatan exercises have included live-fire drills in the disputed South China Sea during joint naval sails by the U.S., France and the Philippines. An aircraft also dropped food and other supplies on a disputed island occupied by Filipino forces as part of the maneuvers in the disputed waters.
Separately on Monday, U.S. and Philippine forces practiced repelling invading forces in the coastal province of Ilocos Norte by firing missiles and artillery rounds on floating targets at sea. The northwestern province faces the South China Sea.
鈥淚t was a huge success, the weapons were spot on,鈥 Marine Lt. Gen. Michael Cederholm said.
In escalating high-seas encounters in disputed areas, Chinese coast guard vessels have resorted to water cannons, blocking and other dangerous maneuvers that have left Philippine navy personnel injured and supply boats damaged. The Biden administration has repeatedly warned the U.S. is obligated to defend the Philippines, its oldest treaty ally in Asia, should it come under attack.
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China has strongly criticized the exercises, saying the Philippines and countries outside Asia are joining forces against Beijing, warned that the drills could lead to confrontation and undermine regional stability.
Ahead of the drills, China specifically opposed the transport of a U.S. ground-launched missile system to the northern Philippines. No missile was to be fired as the goal was only to familiarize military participants with the hi-tech weaponry in a tropical setting.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian expressed China鈥檚 grave concern over the deployment of the missile system 鈥渁t China鈥檚 doorstep.”
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