The 736 Filipino and 225 American soldiers participating in this year’s Balikatan military exercises have been placed in a training bubble as a precaution against COVID-19.
Maj. Gen. Edgard Arevalo, Armed Forces of the Philippines spokesperson and Balikatan director, said that except for one drill, most of this year’s activities would be limited to interoperability tabletop exercises and expertise exchanges.
The only “kinetic” drill set for the 36th Balikatan exercises will be the simulated close air support or Simcas and live fire event to be held on April 20 at the Colonel Ernesto Rabina Air Base in Pampanga. It will not require face-to-face interaction among participants.
“It…
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