Philippine Sailors assigned to Naval Special Operations Units check corners while rehearsing close quarters combat drills with U.S. Naval Special Warfare operators at Joint Task Force Malampaya in El Nido, Palawan, Philippines during Balikatan 2023, April 13, 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)