Multinational troops conduct coastal defense drills in northern Luzon during Balikatan 2026

LAOAG, Philippines — More than 800 service members from the Philippines, United States, Japan, and Canada synchronized sensors and fires across air, land, and maritime domains during a defensive counter-landing live-fire event on May 4 as part of Exercise Balikatan 2026.

Training to counter a modern maritime threat, participating forces used intelligence, reconnaissance, and surveillance capabilities to detect and track simulated enemy formations. Commanders directed engagements through advanced command-and-control systems, and ground, air, and sea-based fires targeted the mock assault force before it could reach the coastline. “This exercise showcases the lethality of our combined joint force when empowered by a modern command and control network,” said U.S. Army Col. Daniel J. VonBenken, commander of the 25th Infantry Division Artillery. “We are layering proven firepower with emerging capabilities, but the real advantage comes from our ability to see the entire battlespace on a single pane of glass and rapidly direct those assets together with our Armed Forces of the Philippines counterparts.”

The drill brought together a range of units. From the United States: soldiers from the 25th Infantry Division’s Division Artillery, 3rd Mobile Brigade, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, and the 62nd Medical Brigade; Marines from 3rd Littoral Combat Team; and Airmen with the 120th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron. Philippine participants included soldiers from the 503rd Brigade, marines with the 4th Marine Brigade, airmen from 15th Air Wing, sailors operating a patrol gunboat, and coast guardsmen operating patrol boats. Japan deployed soldiers with the Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade, and Canada contributed soldiers from 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry.

Philippine Air Force A-29 Super Tucano aircraft and T-129 ATAK attack helicopters, along with U.S. High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, initiated the defense offshore with coordinated strikes on simulated amphibious vehicles, while a Philippine Navy patrol gunboat launched simulated anti-ship missiles. As mock landing craft approached the beach, U.S. F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft, AH-64 Apache attack helicopters, and unmanned aerial vehicles engaged. The event culminated with a final defensive line as combined Philippine, U.S., Japanese, and Canadian ground forces fired howitzers, mortars, Stingers, and small arms to neutralize the last wave of targets and secure the beachhead.

“This counter-landing live fire exercise demonstrates our growing capability to defend our shores through a multi-layered, joint and combined approach—integrating land, sea, and air assets to decisively destroy threats before they reach our coastline,” said Philippine Marine Corps Col. Dennis Hernandez, Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesperson for Balikatan 2026.

“Canada’s participation in the counter‑landing live fire exercise highlights the importance of training alongside our partners and allies in a complex littoral environment,” said Maj. Matthew Bowser, commanding officer of Bravo Company, 3rd Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry. “Operating together in realistic conditions strengthens our ability to integrate effectively, enhances collective readiness, and underscores Canada’s role in supporting regional stability.”

Organizers said the counter-landing event, alongside other Balikatan 2026 training, is intended to build compatible capabilities, improve coordination among participating militaries, and underscore a shoulder-to-shoulder approach among partners.