Luzon Strait News Today

The recent U.S.-Philippines joint military exercises, known as 'Balikatan,' witnessed over 16,000 personnel from various nations. Held in strategic northern islands, the drills included advanced reconnaissance drones and missile systems. Amid growing tension with China, these exercises underscore the rising military collaboration aiming to deter potential conflicts over Taiwan.

Defense expert Su Tzu-yun told Newsweek a drone that plunged into the South China Sea was probably being used to surreptitiously harass Taiwans air defenses.

The Philippine Coast Guard station is on Itbayat island in the northern Batanes province. Read more at straitstimes.com.

The Philippines said Friday it had opened a coast guard post in the countrys far north to boost security following Chinas "military build-up" near Taiwan over the past two years.

The Philippines said Friday it had opened a coast guard post in the countrys far north to boost security following Chinas "military build-up" near Taiwan over the past two years.

The Army is taking a full-scale exportable Joint Pacific Multinational Training Center west of the International Date Line for the first time.

Lal-lo Airport is one of nine facilities in the Philippines approved for use by U.S. troops, but it has seen little investment and few improvements recently. Even so, U.S. and Philippine forces are making the best of the situation at the spartan airport during this year’s annual Balikatan exercise.

U.S., Philippine and Australian troops are practicing raids on wind-swept islands south of Taiwan — the sort of mission they may need to execute if conflict breaks out over the island or in the South China Sea.

C-130J demonstrates its capacity to support U.S. Marines in "austere" conditions on the far side of the globe.

An Air Force C-130J Super Hercules from Texas recently set a new endurance standard on a one-stop, daylong flight halfway around the globe to Guam.