Littoral Live Fire Event at Balikatan 23

27 April 2023

Live fire exercise with Avenger and Patriot at Balikatan 2023 (all photos : DVIDS)

A U.S. Army Avenger air defense system is prepared to fire at a simulated aircraft for a littoral live fire event during Balikatan 23 at the Naval Education, Training and Doctrine Command, Philippines, April 25, 2023.

A U.S. Army Avenger air defense system fires .50 caliber rounds at a simulated aircraft for a littoral live fire event during Balikatan 23 at the Naval Education, Training and Doctrine Command, Philippines, April 25, 2023.

A U.S. Army Avenger air defense system fires a Stinger missile for a littoral live fire event during Balikatan 23 at the Naval Education, Training and Doctrine Command, Philippines, April 25, 2023.

The Avenger air defense system is a self-propelled surface-to-air missile system which provides mobile, short-range air defense protection for ground units against cruise missiles, unmanned aerial vehicles, low-flying fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters.

A simulated aircraft is launched into the air as a target for a U.S. Army MIM-104 Patriot surface-to-air missile system for a littoral live fire event during Balikatan 23 at the Naval Education, Training and Doctrine Command, Philippines, April 25, 2023.

A U.S. Army MIM-104 Patriot surface-to-air missile system is fired for a littoral live fire event during Balikatan 23 at the Naval Education, Training and Doctrine Command, Philippines, April 25, 2023.

Balikatan 2023 is the 38th iteration of the annual bilateral exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the U.S. military. The exercise includes three weeks of training focused on amphibious operations, command and control, humanitarian assistance, urban operations and counterterrorism skills throughout northern and western Luzon. Coastal defense training figures prominently in the Balikatan 23 training schedule. 

(DVIDS)