English: 170514-N-FV745-0256 SANTA ROSA, Philippines (May 14, 2017) A Philippine soldier prepares to fire off a mortar round with U.S. Army soldiers assigned to 1st Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment during Balikatan 2017 at Fort Magsaysay in Santa Rosa, Philippines. The exercise allows Philippine and U.S. militaries build upon shared tactics, techniques, and procedures that enhance readiness and response capabilities to emerging threats. Balikatan is an annual U.S.-Philippine bilateral military exercise focused on a variety of missions, including humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, counterterrorism, and other combined military operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Daniel James Lewis/Released)