US Forces to Join Combat Drills in Philippines to Show Commitment to Asia While Fighting Iran

More than 17,000 American and Filipino military personnel will participate in one of their largest annual combat exercises in the Philippines.

U.S. Col. Robert Bunn (C), speaks beside Philippine Navy Col. Dennis Hernandez (L) and Canada Navy Lt. Commander Craig Cook during a press conference for the upcoming joint military exercise dubbed "Balikatan" or "Shoulder to Shoulder" at Camp Aguinaldo military headquarters in Quezon city, Philippines, on April 14, 2026. Aaron Favila/AP Photo

MANILA, Philippines—More than 17,000 American and Filipino military personnel will participate in one of their largest annual combat exercises in the Philippines that underscore the United States’ staunch commitment to Asia despite its preoccupation with the Middle East, a U.S. military official said Tuesday.

During the April 20-May 8 maneuvers, called the Balikatan, Japanese forces will fire a missile in a ship-sinking exercise in northwestern Philippine waters facing the disputed South China Sea. Japan’s defense chief has been invited to witness the live-fire drill, Philippine military officials said.