PLAN AND FIGHT ALONGSIDE: STAFFEX BALIKATAN 36-2021

PLAN AND FIGHT ALONGSIDE: STAFFEX BALIKATAN 36-2021
                                         (By Ltc Myrvin R Gargar)

                                                  The Staff Exercise, commonly termed as STAFFEX for
                                            Balikatan Exercise 36-2021 officially started on April 12,
                                            2021, with an informal opening ceremony graced by Col
                                            Bryan Horvath, the Chief of Staff of the 3rd Marine
                                            Expeditionary Force (IIIMEF), USINDOPACOM and CAPT
                                            Ronnie S Paba, Director of the Joint Simulation and
                                            Wargaming Center (JSWC) of AFP Education, Training, and
                                            Doctrine Command. On 10 April 2021, the STAFFEX event
kicked off with Operational Intelligence Preparation of the Environment (OIPE) (picture) as
preliminary activity needed for STAFFEX. The participants of the activity were the deputies of Unified
Command Staffs of Norther Luzon Command (NOLCOM) referred to as Joint Rapid Response Forces
(JRRF) based in Camp Aquino, Tarlac and officers from the IIIMEF based in Okinawa Japan referred to
as JTF Balikatan under the US Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM).

        The STAFFEX began to roll with Commander’s Appreciation and Operational Design. Using
the MNF-SOP, the planning progressed and enabled the officer from both IIIMEF and NOLCOM to
exercise creative and critical thinking as they go through the process of Military Decision-Making
Process-Multinational (MDMP-M).

                                                   At the beginning of the process, hesitations are
                                                  eminent from both sides. Apparently, it was also the
                                                  first time for most US and AFP officers to participate
                                                  in multi-national planning. However, it only took a
                                                  day before everything went excitingly fast.
                                                  Thereafter, both US and NOLCOM planners worked
                                                  together to solve a common problem even until late
nights. The event gave the participants the opportunity to apply their professional expertise as well
as creative and critical thinking as they go through the
process of military planning in a joint and combined
environment. Comments from both the US and AFP
participants revealed that they were able to leverage each
other’s strength and fill each other’s weaknesses as they
undergo the planning steps.

         Their coherent tandem is illustrated when, along
their planning, NOLCOM required capabilities specifically
hardware and equipment wherein, the gap was filled by
available assets that the IIIMEF currently possess. In the same manner, in Special Operations Force
(SOF) requirements, NOLCOM staffs were able to provide data and intelligence about the
environment, terrain, and enemy INDOPACOM plan to employ SOF forces.

However successful, the exercise did not come to
                                               reality without the sacrifices of those behind-the-scenes
                                               exercise planners and managers. Members of the
                                               Exercise Control Group (ECG) from the INDOPACOM
                                               and AFPETDC side began painstaking works since May
                                               of 2020 to come up with products which are necessary
                                               for the STAFFEX to happen. The documents produced
                                               by different role players from political, Higher
Headquarters, and Opposing Forces among others are vital instruments which STAFFEX participants
refer to as they plan. Additionally, the exercise which was already cancelled by INDOPACOM due to
restrictions brought about by the COVID 19 pandemic, was brought to life through the concerted
efforts of the exercise managers and planners from the AFP GHQ and AFPETDC. Kudos to those who
miraculously made Balikatan 2021 possible. The concerted efforts of AFPETDC, the Deputy Chief of
Staff for Education Training and Doctrine OJ8, with special acknowledgement to Col Michael Logico
of the AFPETDC’s Joint and Combined Training Center.

         For the participants, the challenge is mainly on
optimizing the benefits of the planning exercise while
maintaining a safe distance in order to prevent possible
transmission of COVID-19 and in compliance with existing
national regulations. Despite safety measures emplaced,
such as having vaccinated and a negative test result for the
virus, the participants did as much as they could to abide by
the protocols to keep each other safe during and even after
the exercise.

                                        The STAFFEX concluded on April 22, 2021 with Maj Pablo
                                Masaad (NOLCOM Lead Planner) and Maj Stephen Kent (IIMEF Lead
                                Planner) briefing the J3 of INDOPACOM, Vice Admiral John Wade.
                                Admiral Wade was so impressed with the products of both IIIMEF
                                and NOLCOM Battle Staff that he expressed his confidence to fight
                                alongside these officers when desperate time requires.

         Among the overarching objective of Balikatan exercise is to demonstrate both countries’
(Philippines and the USA) commitment to the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty. Aside from this,
numerous benefits were harnessed out of the activity. During the STAFFEX, participants from both
sides were able to gauge each other’s capabilities and culture in planning. This provided them the
wisdom as to what to expect from each other when situation requires. Moreover, the product of
their planning also reveals the capabilities, strengths, and weaknesses of both sides’ armed forces
which they can fill or call upon when mutual defense is invoked by either party. Likewise,
interoperability as among the exercise objectives is greatly enhanced at the planning level which in
actual scenario can transcend down to the boots on the grounds. Hence, Balikatan exercise’
relevance cannot be understated.

Cognizant of the global security landscape particularly at
the Asia-Pacific Region, the Balikatan activity showcased the
AFP’s professionalism and readiness through trainings and
exercises. This exercise is a manifestation that however small, the
AFP is willing to perform its mandate and fulfil its commitment to
the country and the preservation of regional stability. It also
serves as a means whereby the AFP exemplifies its full support of
the country’s commitment to its treaty ally. The sustainment of
such activity addresses many facets of security internally and
externally and at the same time assesses the AFP’s capability to fight alone and alongside its allies.