3rd MLR joins largest-ever Balikatan exercise

SUBIC BAY, Philippines — More than 1,300 Marines and sailors from Hawaii’s 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment are joining the 41st iteration of Exercise Balikatan, a large-scale training event led by the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the U.S. military across the Philippine archipelago from April 20 to May 8.

Marking the 75th anniversary of the U.S.-Philippine Mutual Defense Treaty, the exercise brings together over 17,000 personnel from the Philippines, United States, Australia, Japan, Canada, France, and New Zealand to train side by side and strengthen interoperability in the Indo-Pacific.

As part of the U.S. force posture for Balikatan 2026, 3rd MLR will carry out combined, joint, all-domain operations that test advanced maritime warfighting concepts, including the use of the Marine Air Defense Integrated System and the Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System. This year’s deployment of NMESIS follows its first appearance in the Philippines during Balikatan 2025.

“Balikatan is the embodiment of our nation’s commitment to a strong and credible defense posture,” said Philippine Army Maj. Gen. Francisco Lorenzo Jr., Armed Forces of the Philippines Education and Training Command Commander. “This exercise is a prime opportunity for the Armed Forces of the Philippines to accelerate our modernization and enhance our capabilities as a vanguard of regional peace. Training shoulder-to-shoulder with our oldest ally and our many partners ensures our forces are prepared to face any challenge, together.”

In its fourth year participating, 3rd MLR is set to practice simulated sea denial, integrated air and missile defense, security of maritime key terrain, and counter-landing defensive operations.

“Our participation in the 41st Balikatan reflects the strength and professionalism of our enduring partnership with the Armed Forces of the Philippines,” said Col. Gabriel Diana, commanding officer of 3rd MLR. “Together with our combined and joint partners, 3rd MLR is building a more lethal, modern, and interoperable force that’s ready to respond to any crisis in a critical and complex theater.”

The regiment specializes in littoral warfare, is based at Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay, and operates across the Indo-Pacific in coordination with joint, allied, and partnered forces to support regional security and stability.