U.S. Marines, with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW), pose for a photo aboard the SS Curtis (T-AVB-4) during Balikatan 23 off the coast of the Philippines, April 18, 2023. Balikatan 23 is the 38th iteration of the annual bilateral exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the U.S. military. The exercise includes three weeks of training focused on amphibious operations, command and control, humanitarian assistance, urban operations and counterterrorism skills throughout northern and western Luzon. Coastal defense training figures prominently in the Balikatan 23 training schedule. - U.S. Marines, with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, pose for a photo aboard the SS Curtis (T-AVB-4) during Balikatan 23 off the coast of the Philippines, April 18, 2023. Balikatan 23 is the 38th iteration of the annual bilateral exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the U.S. military. The exercise includes three weeks of training focused on amphibious operations, command and control, humanitarian assistance, urban operations and counterterrorism skills throughout northern and western Luzon. Coastal defense training figures prominently in the Balikatan 23 training schedule.