US displays firepower in combat drills with Philippines

U.S. Sergeant Jonathan Armitage from Pennsylvania launches a Javelin shoulder-launched anti-tank missile during a joint military exercise called “Balikatan,” Tagalog for shoulder-to-shoulder at Fort Magsaysay, Nueva Ecija province, northern Philippines, Thursday, April 13, 2023. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila) FORT MAGSAYSAY - U.S. and Filipino forces on Thursday blasted vehicles with anti-tank missiles in combat-readiness drills in the Philippines that are part of a show of American firepower that has alarmed China. The long-time treaty allies are holding their largest joint military exercises called Balikatan — Tagalog for shoulder-to-shoulder — in decades. They involve about 17,600 military personnel and will feature live-fire…