ENGINEERS from the Philippine Army’s 53rd Engineer “Visayas Builders” Brigade and their counterparts from the U.S. Armed Forces conducted joint training on Airfield Damage Repair (ADR) and Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) as part of this year’s Exercise Balikatan, held in various locations across Cebu on April 21, 2025.

ADR and EOD capabilities are vital for mission success, as they ensure operational continuity by enabling the rapid restoration of damaged runways and the safe removal of explosive hazards. Brig. Gen. Maynard G. Camarao, Commander of the 53rd Engineer Brigade, described the exercises as a “strategic investment in readiness, resilience, and friendship,” emphasizing the enduring value of Philippine-U.S. cooperation in bolstering regional security and enhancing disaster response efforts.

The ADR Subject Matter Expert Exchange (SMEE) included lectures on ADR familiarization, crater repair, formwork installation, and crushed stone restoration. These sessions were followed by simulation exercises at the Visayas Command Grandstand. Practical ADR training exercises were later conducted at Camp Cadre in Poblacion, Medellin, Cebu, allowing participants to apply their newly acquired knowledge in a realistic field environment.

Exercise Balikatan—which means “shoulder-to-shoulder” in Filipino—is one of the longest-running bilateral military exercises between the Philippines and the United States. The 40th iteration of Balikatan, scheduled to conclude on May 9, 2025, aims to reinforce the alliance between the two nations, strengthen combined and joint force capabilities, and demonstrate a shared commitment to regional stability in the Indo-Pacific.