Salaknib 2026: Tropic Lightning and partners forge ‘The Shield’ in the JPMRC-X crucible

U.S. and partner forces in the Philippines have entered a high-tempo phase of JPMRC-X, shifting from planning to field operations on May 8 as soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 3rd Mobile Brigade, 25th Infantry Division advanced into the mountains of northern Luzon for route reconnaissance in support of upcoming multinational missions.

The rotation serves as the second phase of Exercise Salaknib—an Ilocano term meaning “shield”—and is designed to deliver a combat training center experience in the Indo-Pacific while sharpening how the 25th Infantry Division works alongside allied forces.

Two days later, attention moved to Laoag City, where U.S., Australian, and New Zealand soldiers observed a complex unmanned aerial systems swarm demonstration. The event underscored the exercise’s focus on rapid adaptation and human-centered technologies shaping future operations. “Our alliance with the Philippines is steeped in history for over 75 years as the oldest treaty ally,” said Col. Adisa King, commander of the 3rd Mobile Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division. “What you are seeing here at JPMRC-X is the future of that alliance in action. We aren’t just rehearsing old tactics; we are rapidly integrating new technologies, such as UAS, alongside our multinational partners.”

By May 13, soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Mobile Brigade, 25th Infantry Division were training near the municipality of Laur to detect and counter enemy drones. Infantry platoons practiced recognizing the sound and movement signatures of small UAS to cue early warnings and enable rapid engagement. “This exercise challenges us to be faster and increasingly capable and adaptable so that we remain a combat-credible force ready to outpace any adversary,” said King.

On the ground, Bravo Company elements maneuvered through difficult terrain, set M224 60mm mortars, and fought opposing forces in platoon-level operations that stressed fieldcraft, unit readiness, and small-unit tactics under realistic conditions. In the air, the 25th Combat Aviation Brigade’s Task Force Saber extended the formation’s reach with CH-47 Chinook sling-load missions to rapidly insert Infantry Squad Vehicles into the battlespace.

U.S. and Philippine Army units integrated capabilities across multiple domains during this phase, highlighting the interoperability required for multinational missions. “Training alongside the 25th Infantry Division during Salaknib allows us to harden our defenses and refine how we fight as a combined force,” said Col. Louie G. Dema-Ala, Chief Public Affairs, Philippine Army. “By sharing our deep knowledge of this terrain and integrating with the advanced technologies the U.S. brings to the fight, we are proving our shared commitment to defending our homeland and maintaining stability in the region.”

The training has drawn broader regional participation, with soldiers from Japan, Australia, and New Zealand contributing to planning and execution. “Being here in the Philippines to train alongside both American and Filipino forces is an invaluable opportunity,” said MG Yanagi Hiroki, commanding general of the 12th Brigade, Eastern Army, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force. “It allows us to build the deep trust and mutual understanding necessary for multilateral cooperation. When we sweat together in this environment, we ensure that our nations can operate as one united front for a free and open Indo-Pacific.”

Exercise leaders say the tempo will rise further as JPMRC-X progresses, culminating in large-scale, combined multi-domain events—from night reconnaissance to direct-action raids—aimed at building greater capability, agility, and interoperability to respond to crises and contingencies across the Indo-Pacific.