733d AMS bolsters joint force operations during Exercise Balikatan 2026

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan — A six-person team from the 733d Air Mobility Squadron deployed to the Philippines from April 17 to May 9 to support Exercise Balikatan 2026, enabling joint force mobility operations across the Indo-Pacific.

Working in a hub-and-spoke model, the team conducted Joint Inspections to verify the safety, airworthiness and accuracy of cargo and vehicles before airlift, directly supporting the 3d Marine Littoral Regiment and 25th Infantry Division in support of Maritime Key Terrain Security Operations – North. Over the course of the exercise, they executed 29 inspections covering 16 vehicles, three pallets and more than 375,000 pounds of cargo at Lal-lo, Basco, Itbayat and Laoag, Philippines.

“Our Airmen demonstrated the agility, adaptability and technical expertise required to support complex mobility operations in a dynamic environment,” said Lt. Col. Joshua Messer, 733d AMS commander. “Their ability to rapidly integrate with joint partners and execute operations across dispersed locations directly contributed to the success of Balikatan 2026 and reinforced our commitment to regional readiness and interoperability.”

The mission facilitated the movement and redeployment of critical personnel, vehicles and equipment across multiple locations, enabling joint and allied forces to conduct reconnaissance, sea denial and logistics operations during the exercise. Operating alongside Marine Corps and Army units in dispersed environments, the 733d AMS team delivered rapid air mobility support that helped sustain mission operations across the theater.

“Every inspection mattered because every piece of equipment directly supported operations happening across the theater,” said Technical Sergeant Martin Valencia, 733d AMS air freight supervisor. “Operating across multiple islands and supporting different units showed how important mobility Airmen are to keeping the joint force connected and mission ready.”

Exercise Balikatan is an annual bilateral exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the U.S. military focused on strengthening interoperability, operational readiness and regional security cooperation. The 41st iteration brought together more than 17,000 personnel from the Philippines, United States, Australia, Japan, Canada, France and New Zealand.

The 733d AMS contribution underscored the role of mobility Airmen in enabling distributed operations and sustaining joint force readiness throughout the Indo-Pacific.