MANILA, Philippines (AFNS) -- “Balikatan” is a Tagalog phrase translating to “shoulder-to-shoulder,” illustrating the spirit of the annual exercise and the enduring strength of the United States and Philippine alliance. This phrase materialized as a contingent of Reserve Airmen supporting the exercise met with a senior leader from Air Force Reserve Command at Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo, April 23.
U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Israel Nuñez, senior enlisted advisor to the Chief of Air Force Reserve, the Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia, and the command chief master sgt. of Air Force Reserve Command, Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, witnessed the 'Reserve Advantage' - being able to deliver efficient, experienced, accessible and lethal capabilities - as our Reserve Airmen primed for full participation in an allied and partner exercise.
The focus of Nuñez’s visit to the Philippines was to meet with the Reservists instructing leadership courses at the Philippine Air Force Leader Development Center.
“We have some Reserve Airmen doing great stuff in Balikatan, so I said yes, as it’s always good to see Airmen out in the field,” Nuñez said, during a video teleconference with cyber operations Airmen. “You are all doing real-world stuff and the fact that you’re out there on your own and running your own site, speaks volumes to what the Reserve brings to the fight."
Coinciding with the 75th anniversary of the United States and Philippine Mutual Defense Treaty, this iteration marks the most expansive Balikatan to date. Multinational personnel from the United States, the Philippines, Australia, Canada, France, Japan, and New Zealand are participating. The Air Force Reserve has approximately 50 Reservists participating from aerial port and aeromedical staging squadrons, intelligence units, the 919th Special Operations Wing, the 920th Rescue Wing and the 960th Cyberspace Wing.
For Chief Master Sgt. Rodney Balgan, 42nd Cyber Operations Squadron superintendent, facilitating Reserve Airmen participation in the Indo-Pacific region exemplifies the direct support missions and cyber operations Airmen train for daily.
“We are working to show them tactics, techniques and procedures that are robust and well established within the Air Force Reserve,” Balgan said.
Command-level leadership engagement is crucial, making Nuñez’s visit particularly beneficial, Balgan noted.
“There have been some tough, long hours in the heat for some of the Airmen,” Balgan said. “To have a senior leader meet them in those field conditions, you can see firsthand how their morale and willingness to work harder increases.”
Balikatan is a longstanding annual exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the U.S. military designed to strengthen the alliance, improve combined capabilities and demonstrate a shared commitment to regional security and stability.