Balikatan 2026: 21st AEW leadership meets with members of JUSMAG and TF-P
U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. David Nelson, left, chief of staff of Joint U.S. Military Assistance Group, and Lt. Col. Ashley Jung, center, deputy joint director of intelligence (J2), Task Force Philippines, speak to 21st Air Expeditionary Wing leadership during Exercise Balikatan 2026 at Manila, Philippines on April 23, 2026. Task Force-Philippines coordinates and synchronizes joint U.S. military support to the Armed Forces of the Philippines to achieve unity of effort enhancing AFP’s ability to achieve military, frequently collaborating with JUSMAG, enhancing partner air force capabilities through training, joint exercises and strengthening alliances and ensuring regional interoperability. Balikatan is a longstanding annual exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and U.S. military that represents the strength of our alliance, improves our capable combined force, and demonstrates our commitment to regional peace and prosperity. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Alondra Cristobal Hernandez)