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Naval forces from Destroyer Squadron 7 and Task Force Ashland, composed of the Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD 48) and embarked Marines from I Marine Expeditionary Force, began participation in Exercise Balikatan 2026 on April 20 in the Western Philippine Sea.
The annual exercise underscores the U.S.-Philippine alliance and the Tagalog meaning of “Balikatan” — “shoulder-to-shoulder.” Marking the 75th anniversary of the U.S.-Philippine Mutual Defense Treaty, more than 17,000 personnel from the Philippines, United States, Australia, Japan, Canada, France, and New Zealand are scheduled to train together.
As part of the Multinational Maritime Exercise, Task Force Ashland is operating alongside ships from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, Royal Australian Navy, Royal Canadian Navy, and U.S. Coast Guard. Training events include anti-submarine warfare and gunnery drills, deck-landing qualifications, and search-and-rescue and medical evacuation exercises. Staff from DESRON 7 embarked on Ashland will serve as the MME Task Group commander, directing Royal Australian Navy- and Royal Canadian Navy-led surface action groups comprising 10 ships from five participating forces.
“BK26 continues to demonstrate the closeness and cooperation amongst our Allies and partners. This year’s iteration continues to enhance upon previous years, increasing our interoperability to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific region,” said Capt. John Baggett, commodore, DESRON 7. “The 41st iteration of Exercise Balikatan is the largest we have ever seen in terms of scope and scale, spanning a wide-range of skills and capabilities needed to ensure peace and prosperity in the region.”
Participating ships in the maritime phase include USS Ashland; U.S. Coast Guard Legend-class cutter USCGC Midgett (WMSL 757); Philippine Navy landing platform dock BRP Tarlac (LD601), Miguel Malvar-class guided-missile frigate BRP Miguel Malvar (FFG6), and Jose Rizal-class guided-missile frigate BRP Antonio Luna (FFG15); Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Hyuga-class helicopter destroyer JS Ise (DDH 182), Murasame-class destroyer JS Ikazuchi (DD 107), and Osumi-class tank-landing ship JS Shimokita (LST 4002); Royal Canadian Navy Halifax-class frigate HMCS Charlottetown (FFG 339); and Royal Australian Navy Anzac-class frigate HMAS Toowoomba (FFG 156).
Balikatan is a longstanding annual exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the U.S. military intended to strengthen the alliance, improve combined force capability, and demonstrate a commitment to regional security and stability. As the U.S. Navy’s forward-deployed squadron in Southeast Asia, DESRON 7 serves as the primary tactical and operational commander for assigned ships in the area, while U.S. 7th Fleet routinely operates with allies and partners to help preserve a free and open Indo-Pacific.
