Social Media Ideas for Balikatan Exercise 2026

Balikatan 2026 was Rehearsal for Defense of the Philippines, Paparo Says

Balikatan 2026 was a rehearsal for the defense of the Philippines amid a “dangerous security environment,” U.S. Indo-Pacific Command chief Adm. Samuel Paparo said at the conclusion...

PH, Australia launch ‘Kasangga’ military drills in Camarines Sur

LEGAZPI CITY — The Philippine Army and Australian troops on Monday opened the “Kasangga” 2026-1 joint military exercise at Camp Elias Angeles in Pili, Camarines Sur. The Philippine...

The Next Challenge Facing the US-Philippine Alliance, and How They Plan to Overcome It

This year's Balikatan exercise oriented itself more closely than ever to the Taiwan Strait -- and the possibility of a future conflict over the island.

Japan Extends SEA Military Presence Via Balikatan Exercise

War preparation by other means?

USV Swarm Demonstrates Maritime Security Capabilities During Exercise Salaknib 26

Soldiers assigned to the 25th Infantry Division partnered with Philippine Army forces and industry representatives during Exercise Salaknib 2026 to demonstrate how autonomous marit...

The Philippines meets its NMESIS in Balikatan exercise

Two new pieces of equipment have recently joined the ranks of the US Marine Corps (USMC): the NMESIS – short for Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System – and the MADIS...

Allies Come Together in the Indo-Pacific for Exercise Valiant Shield 26

U.S. Pacific Command joint forces, along with allied and partner forces, kicked off Exercise Valiant Shield 2026 in the Indo-Pacific region to strengthen the joint and combined for...

POTD: Tropic Lightning Holds the Dunes at Balikatan 2026

The La Paz Sand Dunes on the northern coast of Luzon made for an unusual battlefield on May 4, 2026, but the mission was unmistakable. In the first image, Pfc. Griffin Clemen of 2n...

Japan-Philippines maritime talks 2026

U.S. Marines Kick Off Kamandag 10 Exercise in the Philippines

U.S. Marines joined Philippine, Japanese and South Korean forces on Monday for the start of Exercise Kaagapay ng mga Mandirigma ng Dagat 10 – or Kamandag 10 – across the Philippine...

Japan Announces 2 Major Western Pacific Exercises with U.S.

The U.S. and Japan will hold two exercises in Japan in late June, Resolute Dragon 26 and the Japan segment of Valiant Shield 2026, according to releases by the Japanese military on...

The Philippines in 2026: Between Alliance Commitment and Strategic Hedging

Despite holding fast to its alliance with the United States, several recent developments suggest that Manila has not forgotten how to hedge.

Carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt to Lead 2026 Rim of the Pacific Exercise

Aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) will lead the U.S. participation in this year’s Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2026 exercise, the service announced. Held from June 24...

U.S. Kicks Off Western Pacific Exercises Valiant Shield, Resolute Dragon

The U.S. kicked off this week multinational exercise Valiant Shield 2026 and Marine Corps-Japan Ground Self-Defense Force exercise Resolute Dragon 26, two major Western Pacific exe...

Joint Military Exercise Pragati 2026 Brings Together 13 Nations In Meghalaya For Counter-Terrorism Operations

A major joint military exercise, PRAGATI 2026, has begun at Umroi Military Station in Meghalaya with the participation of 13 nations, including India and 12 friendly countries.The...

RIMPAC 2026 Kicks off in Hawaii

The U.S.-led Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2026 exercise began on Thursday in Hawaii. Thirty-one surface ships, five submarines, 197 aircraft and 30,000 personnel, including 1100 lan...

Why the largest-ever US-Philippine drill, and Japan’s role in it, is making China uneasy

A US and Philippine-led military drill seen as targeting China grew this year into the largest yet, prompting Chinese experts to warn that the annual event will exacerbate regional...

U.S., Partners Wrap Exercise Valiant Shield

The U.S. and partner nations on Wednesday wrapped up Exercise Valiant Shield 2026, which involved 10 days of training that saw anti-submarine warfare, cutting edge drone testing an...

USNI News Western Pacific Pulse: June 26, 2026

 The following is a summary of major ship movements and exercises in the Western Pacific over the last week. Valiant Shield Exercise Valiant Shield 2026 (VS26) began on Monday,...

Sinking Exercise Demonstrates Capabilities of Joint Force

U.S. Pacific Command joint forces, along with allied and partner forces, successfully carried out a live-fire sinking exercise during Valiant Shield 2026, targeting the decommissio...

Philippine, U.S. Forces Conduct Maritime Cooperative Activity

The U.S. Coast Guard and the Armed Forces of the Philippines partnered for a joint maritime exercise to strengthen regional cooperation and support a free and open Indo-Pacific.

BALTOPS 2026 Exercise Begins

NATO kicked off maritime exercise Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) 2026 this week with 20 ships and 6,000 personnel from 15 NATO nations – fewer than BALTOPS 2025 owing to the NATO nava...

U.S. Marines Demonstrate Dual MEF Strategy in Western Pacific Drills

The U.S. Marine Corps concluded two bilateral exercises last week in the first island chain, which overlapped to demonstrate the service’s “Two MEFs Abreast” strategy. Resolute Dra...

Specialized U.S. Marine Corps Group Trains to Defend the Northern Philippines

MANILA, PHILIPPINES – A specialized contingent of Marines have operated in the Northern Philippines over the last three months, honing their ability to monitor maritime movements a...