U.S. and Philippines joint military drills
- 11 years ago
U.S. and Philippine troops held drills in the Tarlac province of the Philippines on Friday, as they continued their two-week long annual Balikatan (Shoulder-to-Shoulder) exercises, while tensions over North Korea's threats mount in the Asia Pacific region.
Troops held live-fire exercises in Crow Valley, north of Manila, practising assault tactics with amphibious vehicles.
The U.S. military has said the drills were not targeted at any particular country.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) DEPUTY COMMANDER OF U.S. MARINE CORPS PACIFIC FORCES, BRIGADIER GENERAL RICHARD SIMCOCK, SAYING:
"These marines are more than capable of deploying anywhere in the region."
The bilateral military activities involve 8,000 U.S. and Filipino troops staging mock battles and simulating disaster responses, with the aim of improving inter-operability.
Troops held live-fire exercises in Crow Valley, north of Manila, practising assault tactics with amphibious vehicles.
The U.S. military has said the drills were not targeted at any particular country.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) DEPUTY COMMANDER OF U.S. MARINE CORPS PACIFIC FORCES, BRIGADIER GENERAL RICHARD SIMCOCK, SAYING:
"These marines are more than capable of deploying anywhere in the region."
The bilateral military activities involve 8,000 U.S. and Filipino troops staging mock battles and simulating disaster responses, with the aim of improving inter-operability.