U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Israel Nunez ,second from left, senior enlisted advisor to the chief of Air Force Reserve and command chief master sgt. of Air Force Reserve Command, listens as Capt. Yaereem Lee discusses the cyber operations white cell's approach to network security during Exercise Balikatan 26 at Camp Aguinaldo, Philippines, April 23, 2026. Lee is a cyber operations officer assigned to Pacific Air Forces, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. (U.S. Air Force photo by Sean P. Houlihan) (This photo has been altered for security purposes by blurring out the white board.)
U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Rodney Balgan, 960th Cyber Wing, talks with Chief Master Sgt. Israel Nunez, senior enlisted advisor to the chief of Air Force Reserve and command chief master sergeant of Air Force Reserve Command, about the role Reserve Airmen from the wing are playing during Exercise Balikatan 26 at Camp Aguinaldo, Philippines, April 23, 2026. Nunez met with Reserve Airmen deployed as part of the cyber operations white cell. (U.S. Air Force photo by Sean P. Houlihan)
U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Israel Nunez, senior enlisted advisor to the Chief of Air Force Reserve and command chief master sgt. of Air Force Reserve Command, talks with Reserve Airmen from the 960th Cyber Wing supporting Exercise Balikatan 26 while visiting Camp Aguinaldo, Philippines, April 23, 2026. Nunez met with Reserve Airmen deployed as part of the cyber operations white cell. (U.S. Air Force photo by Sean P. Houlihan)
U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Israel Nunez ,second from left, senior enlisted advisor to the chief of Air Force Reserve and command chief master sgt. of Air Force Reserve Command, listens as Capt. Yaereem Lee discusses the cyber operations white cell's approach to network security during Exercise Balikatan 26 at Camp Aguinaldo, Philippines, April 23, 2026. Lee is a cyber operations officer assigned to Pacific Air Forces, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. (U.S. Air Force photo by Sean P. Houlihan) (This photo has been altered for security purposes by blurring out the white board.)
U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Rodney Balgan, 960th Cyber Wing, talks with Chief Master Sgt. Israel Nunez, senior enlisted advisor to the chief of Air Force Reserve and command chief master sergeant of Air Force Reserve Command, about the role Reserve Airmen from the wing are playing during Exercise Balikatan 26 at Camp Aguinaldo, Philippines, April 23, 2026. Nunez met with Reserve Airmen deployed as part of the cyber operations white cell. (U.S. Air Force photo by Sean P. Houlihan)
U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Israel Nunez, senior enlisted advisor to the Chief of Air Force Reserve and command chief master sgt. of Air Force Reserve Command, talks with Reserve Airmen from the 960th Cyber Wing supporting Exercise Balikatan 26 while visiting Camp Aguinaldo, Philippines, April 23, 2026. Nunez met with Reserve Airmen deployed as part of the cyber operations white cell. (U.S. Air Force photo by Sean P. Houlihan)
"Balikatan" is a Tagalog phrase translating to "shoulder-to-shoulder," illustrating the spirit of the annual exercise and the enduring strength of the United States and Philippine alliance. This phrase materialized as a contingent of Reserve Airmen supporting the exercise met with a senior leader from Air Force Reserve Command at Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo, April 23.
U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Israel Nunez, senior enlisted advisor to the Chief of Air Force Reserve, the Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia, and the command chief master sgt. of Air Force Reserve Command, Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, witnessed the 'Reserve Advantage' - being able to deliver efficient, experienced, accessible and lethal capabilities - as our Reserve Airmen primed for full participation in an allied and partner exercise.
The focus of Nunez's visit to the Philippines was to meet with the Reservists instructing leadership courses at the Philippine Air Force Leader Development Center.
"We have some Reserve Airmen doing great stuff in Balikatan, so I said yes, as it's always good to see Airmen out in the field," Nunez said, during a video teleconference with cyber operations Airmen. "You are all doing real-world stuff and the fact that you're out there on your own and running your own site, speaks volumes to what the Reserve brings to the fight."
Coinciding with the 75th anniversary of the United States and Philippine Mutual Defense Treaty, this iteration marks the most expansive Balikatan to date. Multinational personnel from the United States, the Philippines, Australia, Canada, France, Japan, and New Zealand are participating. The Air Force Reserve has approximately 50 Reservists participating from aerial port and aeromedical staging squadrons, intelligence units, the 919th Special Operations Wing, the 920th Rescue Wing and the 960th Cyberspace Wing.
For Chief Master Sgt. Rodney Balgan, 42nd Cyber Operations Squadron superintendent, facilitating Reserve Airmen participation in the Indo-Pacific region exemplifies the direct support missions and cyber operations Airmen train for daily.
"We are working to show them tactics, techniques and procedures that are robust and well established within the Air Force Reserve," Balgan said.
Command-level leadership engagement is crucial, making Nunez's visit particularly beneficial, Balgan noted.
"There have been some tough, long hours in the heat for some of the Airmen," Balgan said. "To have a senior leader meet them in those field conditions, you can see firsthand how their morale and willingness to work harder increases."
Balikatan is a longstanding annual exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the U.S. military designed to strengthen the alliance, improve combined capabilities and demonstrate a shared commitment to regional security and stability.
Source: U.S.Air Force
