US and Philippines hold largest bilateral military exercise as tensions with China loom

US and Philippines hold largest bilateral military exercise as tensions with China loom

The U.S. military began an 18-day joint drill with the Filipino army Tuesday, with more than 17,600 servicemen from both countries participating.

The largest combat exercise in decades, both militaries will train in maritime security, field training, and disaster relief preparedness.

Military exercises will be conducted in the highly contested South China Sea as tensions between the U.S. and China grow higher.