Phl, U.S. hold counter-landing drill in Cagayan for Balikatan 2025

APARRI, Cagayan — As part of Balikatan 40-2025, Philippine and United States military forces conducted a Counter-Landing Live Fire Exercise on Saturday, 3 May 2025, at Barangay Dodan in Aparri, Cagayan. The exercise aimed to deny a simulated enemy force from gaining a foothold in Northern Luzon.

The joint operation demonstrated enhanced coastal defense and interoperability between the two allies.

Participating Philippine units included:

* Philippine Marine Corps

* Philippine Army

* Special Operations Command

* Marine Reservists

* Philippine Air Force

* PNP Special Action Force

* Philippine Coast Guard

* PNP Maritime Group

Total personnel: 308

The US contingent included:

* US Marine Corps

* US Army

* US Artillery and Safety Units

Total personnel: **279**

Philippine assets deployed:

* Artillery: 2x 105mm howitzers

* Armor: 2x Light Armored Vehicles (LAVs)

* Small arms

* Philippine Army Armor Division: 4 tanks

* PA Platoon 8 FAB: 2x 105mm

* PA Platoon: 2x 155mm

* Smart Shooter precision targeting system

US assets deployed:

* 4x AH-64 Apache attack helicopters

* HMLA-267: 2x AH-1 and 2x UH-1 helicopters

* MSOT (Marine Special Operations Team): cuing and sensing operations

* VMFA-323: 2x F/A-18 jets deploying Mk-82 bombs

* 4x F-16 fighter jets deploying Mk-82 bombs

* CTF-72: 1x P-8A Poseidon maritime surveillance aircraft

* Small arms

This large-scale drill reinforced the Philippines’ coastal defense posture and tested joint capabilities in conducting high-intensity, multi-domain operations in a contested littoral environment.