Exercise Name:  Balikatan 2009 (BK 09)
Exercise Dates:  2009
Exercise Location:  Republic of the Philippines

Balikatan (BK) is an annual bilateral U.S./Republic of the Philippines exercise that consists of a STAFFEX/CPX, Humanitarian and Civic Assistance / Civil Military Operations (HCA/CMO), and Field Training Exercise (FTX).  BALIKATAN fosters interoperability and enhances the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) capabilities. The exercise reinforces HQ USPACOM Theater Security Cooperation goals and objectives, and ensures participation/integration of non-governmental organizations in the execution of CMO activities.  BALIKATAN seeks to improve multinational training opportunities and operations by potentially integrating the multinational Forces into the BK series as participants.  MARFORPAC is the exercise Executive Agent (EA) for BALIKATAN 2009.