Japan’s US-2 advanced amphibious aircraft made its debut during the Balikatan exercises, the largest joint military drills between the Philippines and the United States.
- Historic Deployment: Japan sent approximately 1,400 personnel, marking the first time it has deployed combat troops to Philippine soil since World War II.
- Advanced Capabilities: The ShinMaywa US-2 aircraft conducted joint casualty evacuation drills in the South China Sea.
- Scale: This year’s exercises are the most expansive to date, featuring roughly 17,000 troops.
Joint Casualty Evacuation Drills
On April 27, a Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) ShinMaywa US-2 aircraft splashed down in the South China Sea near Oyster Bay in Palawan. The aircraft participated in a joint casualty evacuation drill alongside the US Navy’s landing dock ship USS Ashland (LSD-48).
During the exercise, US-2 crew members were transferred via lifeboat to the USS Ashland to rehearse patient movement and medical response procedures in realistic maritime conditions.
The US-2 is specifically designed for search-and-rescue missions, with the capability to take off and land on runways or water, including in rough sea conditions.
Expanded Japanese Military Presence
Japan’s participation in the Balikatan exercises is the first deployment under a reciprocal access agreement with Manila that took effect last year. In addition to the US-2 aircraft, Japan deployed the helicopter destroyer JS Ise, the landing ship JS Shimokita, the destroyer JS Ikazuchi, C-130H transport aircraft, and Type 88 missiles.
Other key participants in the drills include Australia, New Zealand, Canada, France, and the United Kingdom.
Regional Security and Interoperability
The exercises, which run from April 20 to May 8, take place amid heightened regional tensions involving China’s activities in the South China Sea, the East China Sea, and around Taiwan. Both Japan and the Philippines are US allies within the First Island Chain.
On April 28, the Philippine Marine Corps and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force’s Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade conducted separate amphibious operations in Abulug, Cagayan. The Philippine Marine Corps stated the exercise demonstrated “seamless integration of air, land, and sea capabilities.”
The broader Balikatan exercises have featured advanced US security systems, including the Navy Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS), the Marine Air Defense Integrated System (MADIS), and HIMARS.
Japan Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi is scheduled to visit the Philippines and is expected to observe the sinking of a decommissioned vessel off Laoag City on May 6.
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