Joint Military Exercise Case Study

For a year and a half working in Joint Task Force-National Capital Region (JTF-NCR), I’ve been hearing a lot about the conduct of joint military exercise between the Philippines (PH) and United States (US). Last year I’ve been attending series of Commander’s Update Brief (CUB) regarding Balikatan (BK) exercise and tasked to take note and make minutes. All through those CUBs, believe me I really did not understand what they were talking about, just taking notes, nodding and assuming as if I understand them. Not until this year’s Balikatan 2016 (BK16). BK exercise is a bilateral Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) - US Armed Forces combined exercise conducted in the PH. BK16 is the 32nd iteration of the PH-US Balikatan exercise program. These activities are designed to enhance combined interoperability and build AFP traditional and non-traditional military capabilities. BK16 is conducted under the provisions of the Bilateral Mutual Defense Board (MDB). JTF-NCR was the training audience for PH-US BK16 Mobilization Exercise (MOBEX) and Joint & Combined Field Training Exercise (JCFTX). During BK16, Korea Based Simulation Center (KBSC) provided analysis support to assist in assessing Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) organizational initiatives concerning JTF-NCR as the Joint Rapid Reaction Force (JRRF) headquarters.
After doing so, he then proceeded at Camp Fullon with his Staff to observe the 3rd Infantry Batallion (IB) rehearsal regarding the JCFTX (Objective Rhino) to be conducted on 14 April 2016. The rehearsal did well, and the officers was able to take part their plan to the observers. The Special Operations Forces (SOF) also arrived at Antique Airfield for preparation of insertion in OBJ “Rhino”, and further conducted briefing and loading/unloading rehearsal using US UH60 Blackhawk helicopters in Antique