Joint Training Saves Lives: Philippine Army and U.S. Navy Partner for Community Health Engagement in Ilocos Norte

In preparation for Exercise Balikatan 24, which took place in April 2024, Philippine Army Maj. Johanaville Villanueva and U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Ron Williams conducted a community health engagement at Davila Elementary School in Pasuquin, Ilocos Norte. During the engagement, they trained a local healthcare worker on basic lifesaving skills such as simulated cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The goal of the training was to provide essential life-saving skills to residents of Ilocos Norte, enhancing their knowledge on CPR and tactical combat casualty care.

Exercise Balikatan 24 is an annual exercise that involves the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the U.S. military, aimed at strengthening bilateral interoperability, capabilities, trust, and cooperation. This particular community health engagement was part of the broader objectives of BK 24, which focused on providing essential life-saving skills to local healthcare professionals and residents in Ilocos Norte.

The image captured during the engagement showed the collaboration between Philippine and U.S. service members as they worked together to train the local healthcare workers. This partnership highlights the commitment both countries have towards improving emergency care services in the region. Overall, exercises like Balikatan 24 play a crucial role in enhancing mutual understanding and cooperation between the Philippine and U.S. military forces, leading to a more resilient and prepared response in times of crisis.

The community health engagement at Davila Elementary School was just one example of how Exercise Balikatan 24 helped to improve emergency care access and awareness in Ilocos Norte by providing essential life-saving skills to local healthcare professionals and residents alike.

In addition to community health engagements like this one, Exercise Balikatan 24 involved various training activities designed to enhance interoperability between Filipino and American forces.

Overall, exercises like Balikatan 24 play a critical role in building trust and strengthening cooperation between two important allies in Asia-Pacific region.

As we move forward into an increasingly unpredictable global landscape