The US imperialists have began the largest war games or exercises in the Asia Pacific region for 2025. The US started the Freedom Shield war games in the Republic of Korea (ROK) on March 10 while the largest Balikatan war games are scheduled in the Philippines in the coming months. These are being carried out alongside many other smaller war games and US military activities in various parts of the region.

These war games are portrayed as “defensive exercises” and strengthening of alliances. Their true purpose is to strengthen the “interoperability” or the US military’s control over the military forces of the Philippines and other countries. The US also uses these to maintain control in the region and further intensify tensions with its rival imperialist country China and with North Korea.

Freedom Shield 25

No less than 19,000 military forces from South Korea and the US participated in Freedom Shield (FS) 25 which lasted for 11 days or until March 21. There were 17 combined war games launched this year, up from 10 war games in 2024. American and South Korean troops launched various types of military training including live-fire exercises on land, water and air in the country.

The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK or North Korea) considers these annual war games as the US and South Korean military forces’ “preparation for invasion” of their country. In response and to show determination to defend its national sovereignty, the DPRK launched ballistic missiles over the sea.

Before FS25, US military activities were already widespread. One was held on March 5, where the US and South Korea dropped bombs in a community in Nogok-ri, Pocheon town, Gyeonggi after wrong coordinates (location) were fed into a jet fighter computer. The warplane “accidentally” dropped eight MK-82 bombs (each weighing 500 pounds).

The incident injured at least 30 civilians and damaged many houses and buildings while residents experienced extreme trauma and fear.

The mayor of Pocheon demanded that similar war games should not be conducted in their town until the military ensures that a similar accident will not happen again. Three large military facilities, covering 4,960 hectares of land, are located in the town of Pocheon.

Preparation for Balikatan Exercises “SABAK” 2025

At the start of 2025, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and US forces have already begun preparations for the annual Balikatan war games in the Philippines. The 40th series of Balikatan is set to be launched in Philippine territory in April and May. Dubbed the SABAK 2025, this year’s Balikatan is expected to exceed the 16,000 Filipino and American troops who participated last year.

The AFP announced that, aside from the participation of a very large number of US soldiers, armed forces from Australia, Japan and other countries will also participate. In 2024, military officials from 14 other countries served as “observers” in the war games. The war games will primarily be conducted in Luzon and Palawan.

As preparation, the AFP launched the Combined Arms Training Exercise (CATEX) “Katihan” Battle from March 3 to March 12, where 6,000 Filipino soldiers took part.

Several series of military maneuvers were also launched by the Philippines together with the US, Australia, Japan and Canada in Philippine waters and airspace.

On February 21, the AFP chief met with the commander of the US Indo-Pacific Command. The AFP also held meetings with officials and forces from Japan, France, and Germany in the past quarter.