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US, Philippine kick off two-week Balikatan (Shoulder-to-shoulder) exercises, which opened April 1, include some 4,000 Philippine, 3,500 American, and 50 Australian troops. A US warship laden with hi-tech fighter planes took centre stage at key war games in the Philippines, brandishing military might as fresh tensions bubble in the contentious South China Sea. The amphibious assault ship USS Wasp, with at least 10 F-35B stealth jets on deck, stood guard as amphibious tanks rolled onto a Philippine beach located a short sail from islands also claimed by China. (Reuters Photo)
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Two Osprey aircrafts are flown during the amphibious landing exercises of the US-Philippines war games promoting bilateral ties at a military camp in Zambales province, Philippines. (Reuters Photo)
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The Wasp's participation in the exercises represents "an increase in military capability committed to a free and open Indo-Pacific region," the US navy said in a press release on its arrival last week. (Reuters Photo)
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Amphibious assault vehicles arrive during the amphibious landing exercises of the US-Philippines war games promoting bilateral ties at a military camp in Zambales province, Philippines. (Reuters Photo)
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"We can't disclose the official movements of the USS Wasp for security reasons, but they have been operating in the South China Sea region… as part of the exercise," US spokeswoman Second Lieutenant Tori Sharpe told reporters. (Reuters Photo)
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A Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) vehicle is pictured during the amphibious landing exercises of the US-Philippines war games promoting bilateral ties at a military camp in Zambales province, Philippines. (Reuters Photo)
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With the USS-Wasp in the background, US Marines ride an amphibious assault vehicle during the amphibious landing exercises of the US-Philippines war games promoting bilateral ties at a military camp in Zambales province, Philippines. (Reuters Photo)
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President Rodrigo Duterte had largely set aside the once-tense dispute over China's expansive claims to the resource-rich waterway, but told Beijing last week to back off over the "swarming" Chinese boats. (Reuters Photo)
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The Philippines called the boats' presence "illegal" and Duterte threatened China with possible military action if it touches the island. (Reuters Photo)
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