Page 2 - Jay Bargeron News Today

Officials say the regularly scheduled annual military maneuvers weren’t directed against any country. But they come amid growing tensions between the U.S. and China.

CAPAS, Philippines (AP) — Truck-mounted launchers blasted off rockets and U.S. stealth fighter jets streaked across the northern Philippine sky on Thursday in a combat drill that marked the latest display of American firepower in a region where Washington has tried to deter what it warns as China’s growing aggression.

CAPAS, Philippines (AP) — Truck-mounted launchers blasted off rockets and U.S. stealth fighter jets streaked across the northern Philippine sky on Thursday in a combat drill that marked the latest display of American firepower in a region where Washington has tried to deter what it warns as China’s growing aggression.

Officials say the military drills are not directed at any country, though they come at a time of tension with China.

The live-fire exercises in a bombing range in a valley in Capas town north of Manila on Thursday were the highlight of two weeks of combat readiness maneuvers involving more than 2,500 American and Philippine marines.

U.S. Marines and Philippine forces stormed a beach facing the South China Sea in a joint military drill on Friday.

The annual military drills are the first major exercise between the longtime treaty allies under newly elected Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

US, Philippine forces hold combat drills to brace for crisis

More than 2,500 U.S. and Philippine marines are participating in combat exercises to be able to respond to any sudden crisis in the region

The bilateral exercises are aimed at strengthening readiness to ensure preparedness to rapidly respond to crises throughout the Indo-Pacific.