US, Philippines Hold Largest War Combat Exercises in Decades

China issued a warning

U.S. marines take part in a joint amphibious assault exercise as part of the annual 'Balikatan' (shoulder-to-shoulder) U.S.-Philippines war exercises, off the waters of South China Sea in Claveria, Cagayan province, Philippines on March 31, 2022. Ezra Acayan/Getty Images

The United States and its key ally the Philippines are holding their largest war combat exercises in decades on April 11, with more than 17,600 military members from both countries set to participate in the annual bilateral event in and around the island nation.

The joint exercise, known as the “Balikatan,” will run up to April 28, according to a news release from the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines.