I MEF, Philippine Joint Task Force strengthen crisis-response planning
PHILIPPINES — U.S. Marines with I Marine Expeditionary Force and Marine Rotational Force – Southeast Asia joined Philippine Joint Task Force personnel for a bilateral planning exercise, Oct. 5-9, 2026.
The weeklong planning exercise brought U.S. and Philippine planners together to strengthen shared understanding, refine bilateral planning processes and improve the ability of both forces to coordinate during crises and contingencies.
The exercise builds on months of engagement between MRF-SEA, I MEF, and Philippine counterparts across the Philippine archipelago. That sustained interaction allowed additional I MEF personnel arriving from California to integrate quickly with MRF-SEA and begin working alongside AFP planners.
“The relationships we build with our Philippine Allies are what make this possible,” said Col. Robert S. Bunn, commanding officer of MRF-SEA. “Our Marines and Sailors have spent this rotation learning alongside our counterparts, building trust and developing a better understanding of how we operate together. This week allows us to build on that foundation and continue strengthening our historic Alliance.”
During the training, U.S. and Philippine personnel worked through a scenario to develop a common understanding of the mission and operating environment. Planners examined authorities, command relationships, organizational roles and other considerations that affect how the two forces coordinate during a potential crisis.
The discussions emphasized a Philippine-led approach, with U.S. planners learning from their counterparts about Philippine processes and organizational relationships.
“As the Armed Forces of the Philippines continues to modernize and strengthen its external defense capabilities, opportunities like this allow us to learn alongside our U.S. allies and better understand how our forces operate together,” said Col. Rowan Rimas, Armed Forces of the Philippines. “That shared understanding strengthens our interoperability and helps ensure we are prepared to respond together when needed.”
The planning process also reinforced the importance of moving beyond routine coordination toward greater bilateral awareness. By understanding how each force views an operational problem, communicates information and makes decisions, planners identify potential friction before operating together in a real-world situation. That process contributes to what planners describe as team cognition – a shared understanding among team members that supports communication, decision-making and overall team performance.
“We cannot wait for a crisis to figure out how we are going to operate together,” said Col. Michael Ogden, operations officer for I MEF. “We must anticipate what comes next, identify friction early and work through the hard problems now. Planning alongside our Philippine Allies makes both of our forces better prepared for whatever comes next.”
For MRF-SEA, the planning exercise represents the progression of a rotation built around persistent engagement with Philippine partners. Throughout the deployment, Marines and Sailors have trained alongside AFP counterparts during bilateral exercises, subject matter expert exchanges and planning events designed to strengthen interoperability and reinforce the longstanding U.S.-Philippine Alliance.
The arrival of additional I MEF personnel provided another opportunity to demonstrate the value of those established relationships. Rather than beginning with introductions, the bilateral team built on existing connections between MRF-SEA and Philippine counterparts and focused on training and planning shoulder-to-shoulder.
“We welcome I MEF to the Philippines and to a partnership that continues to grow through every opportunity we train together,” said Maj. Gen. Gieram R. Aragones, AFP. “This exercise allows us to build on the relationships already established, learn as one team and apply those lessons to what comes next. Our deliberate and continuous progression is how we strengthen the Alliance and improve our ability to operate together.”
The approach reflects a broader emphasis on learning as a bilateral team. Throughout the exercise, planners captured lessons, identified areas requiring additional coordination and refined processes to inform future U.S.-Philippine training.
“Our training starts with trust,” said Brig. Gen. Joshua M. Smith, deputy commanding general of I MEF. “We are here to listen, learn and work alongside our Philippine Allies. Every opportunity to plan together helps us understand one another better, strengthens our team and improves our ability to respond together when called upon. That is how we continue building an Alliance that is ready for the challenges we may face together.”
The planning exercise is one event within a broader continuum of bilateral training between I MEF and the Philippine Joint Task Force. Balikatan means “shoulder-to-shoulder,” but that partnership extends well beyond the annual exercise. U.S. and Philippine forces train, plan and learn shoulder-to-shoulder, with each engagement building on the last to deepen relationships, apply lessons learned and progressively increase the complexity of bilateral training.
By planning together before a crisis occurs, U.S. and Philippine forces strengthen the relationships, shared understanding and teamwork necessary to coordinate effectively when it matters most.
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