In the dense jungles of Fort Magsaysay, located 75 miles north of Manila, a joint military operation unfolds as U.S. and Philippine soldiers navigate the challenging terrain. Amid the tropical heat, a Kestrel drone, armed with explosives, targets an enemy bunker, exemplifying the modern warfare tactics on display during Exercise Balikatan 2026.
Exercise Balikatan, running from April 20 to May 8, sees the participation of over 17,000 troops from seven nations. The U.S. Army’s 3rd Mobile Brigade from Hawaii’s 25th Infantry Division plays a key role. Soldiers from Alpha Company, 2nd Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, join forces with the Philippine Army’s 1st Brigade Combat Team in this extensive military exercise.
With a focus on innovation, the “Tropic Lightning” division is integrating advanced technologies to adapt to the evolving nature of warfare. “It reduces risk a little bit, but it allows you to see farther,” commented Col. Adisa King, the 3rd Mobile Brigade commander, in a discussion with Defense News.
While these technologies offer new capabilities, challenges remain. Col. King pointed out the difficulty in sustaining drone operations, especially under the tropical climate where devices can overheat and battery recharging becomes problematic.
Lightning Lab innovation
Lightning Labs, part of the 25th Infantry Division, is at the forefront of technological advancement, focusing on rapid adoption and implementation. The lab’s Kestrel “killer” FPV quadcopter is designed for mass production and operational testing by soldiers to understand its full potential.
CW3 Aaron Dunson, Operations Officer of Lightning Labs, highlighted ongoing projects such as a high-speed drone interceptor and a solar-panel microgrid as quieter alternatives to traditional generators. “Our piece of this pie is to identify the opportunity and then present it to the subject matter experts within the division and say, ‘Is this usable?’” Dunson explained.
Forge ahead
The Forge, an INDOPACOM initiative, represents another step in innovation with its expeditionary manufacturing capabilities based in Hawaii. Equipped with 3D printers and milling machines, The Forge provides rapid solutions to logistical challenges faced during military exercises.
During Balikatan, The Forge successfully reverse-engineered and manufactured replacement parts for a road grader within six hours, avoiding a lengthy wait for imports. Additionally, it provided a 3D-printed fix for broken bipods on M50 machine guns, demonstrating its utility in real-time problem-solving.
The efficiency of The Forge is underscored by CW2 Kevin Ton, who stated that it had saved $23,000 and reduced waiting times by 96 months in just the first week of Balikatan.
As the Asia-Pacific region faces multiple security challenges, including tensions with China, the U.S. Army Pacific is rapidly evolving. The 25th Infantry Division exemplifies these changes, being the only infantry division equipped with HIMARS rocket launchers, highlighting its commitment to quickly fielding advanced technologies.
