U.S. soldiers of 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team disembark from a U.S. military helicopter CH-47 as they take part in the annual "Balikatan" (shoulder-to-shoulder) war games with Filipino soldiers at a military camp, Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija in northern Philippines April 20, 2015. Reuters/Erik De Castro

Reuters: U.S. rebalance to Asia begins with major military drill in Philippines

(Reuters) - Philippine and U.S. soldiers began their biggest combined military exercise in 15 years on Monday, in a demonstration of Washington's commitment to its long-time ally as it rebalances to Asia in the face of China's expansion in the South China Sea.

The annual "Balikatan" (shoulder-to-shoulder) war games are part of a new U.S. military initiative known as Pacific Pathways, involving a series of drills across the Asia-Pacific as America deploys more troops, ships and aircraft in the region.

"The exercises this week are part of a U.S. rebalance to Asia starting with Balikatan in the Philippines," Major-General Raul del Rosario told Reuters as more than 1,000 US Army troops joined the drills at a jungle army base.

More News On The U.S. And Philippines Beginning Military Exercises

Philippines Starts South China Sea War Games With U.S. -- Bloomberg
U.S., Philippines Add Muscle to Military Drills -- WSJ
US, Philippines Begin Joint Drills Amid Rising Territorial Tensions In South China Sea -- IBTimes
US and Philippines to launch 'war games' amid China row -- Al Jazeera
AFP: US-PH military exercises not a show of force vs China -- Sun Star (Philippines)