Phl, U.S. hold counter-landing drill in Cagayan for Balikatan 2025
Balikatan exercises conducted at Aparri, Cagayan, included a simulation of an enemy force gaining a foothold in Northern Luzon.
Analy Labor
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Balikatan exercises conducted at Aparri, Cagayan, included a simulation of an enemy force gaining a foothold in Northern Luzon.
Analy Labor
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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.
