Philippine Sailors assigned to Naval Special Operations Units conduct bilateral weapons familiarization with the M40A5 sniper rifle alongside U.S. Special Forces during Balikatan 23 at Joint Task Force Malampaya in El Nido, Palawan, Philippines, April 12, 2023. Balikatan is an annual exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and U.S. military designed to strengthen bilateral interoperability, capabilities, trust, and cooperation built over decades of shared experiences. Naval Special Warfare is the nation’s elite maritime special operations force, uniquely positioned to extend the Fleet’s reach and gain and maintain access for the Joint Force in competition and conflict. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Daniel Gaither)