Caption Private First Class Vilrey Allada, left, listens attentively to United States Marine Sgt. Daniel Brown, platoon sergeant and El Paso, Tx., native assigned to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit regarding regrouping procedures and how to properly quarantine captured enemy combatants during a mechanized raid April 14, at San Miguel Beach in San Antonio, Zambales, Philippines. The event was part of first stages of training for Balikatan 2009. The bilateral field training exercise included 60 members of the 28th Marine Company from the 28th Marine Company, Marine Battalion Landing Team 8,
Philippine Marine Corps and elements of the 31st MEU based out of Okinawa, Japan. Balikatan 2009 is a joint exercise that promotes unity and readiness between the Republic of the Philippines and the United States. The nations' governments are working bilaterally to ensure humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts are efficient and effective. Balikatan is a Tagalog word that means "shoulder-to-shoulder" and characterizes the philosophy and intent behind the activity.
