美国特种作战司令部司令弗兰克·布拉德利上将访问菲律宾期间宣布，美国特种部队准备与菲律宾及亚洲其他国家加强战争能力演习[1]。布拉德利统率的特种作战司令部拥有约80,000人员，司令部驻地位于佛罗里达州坦帕麦克迪尔空军基地[1]。在菲律宾访问后，他还将赴日本与军事官员进行会谈[1]。
美国防长Pete Hegseth去年访问马尼拉时首次披露了在巴坦岛筹建联合美菲特种部队培训设施的计划[1]。美国特种部队将参与年度联合演习，同时在面向南海的菲律宾西部省份和巴坦岛进行小规模战争演习[1]。近年来，大规模美菲联合军事演习已涉及日本、澳大利亚、加拿大和法国等多个盟国[1]。
布拉德利表示[1]："威慑冲突的最佳方式是能够令任何想要发起冲突的对手相信他们赢不了。"这一举措旨在应对南海局势和中国日益敌对的行动，通过强化区域安全同盟来防止重大冲突发生[1]。
Admiral Frank Bradley, commander of U.S. Special Operations Command, which operates approximately 80,000 personnel from its headquarters at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida, announced plans to intensify joint military exercises and training with the Philippines and other regional partners.[1] The strategic initiative aims to strengthen defense capabilities and discourage potential aggression in the Asia-Pacific region, particularly in response to escalating tensions in the South China Sea.
During his visit to Manila, Bradley emphasized the importance of credible deterrence in preventing conflict. "The best way to deter conflict is to be able to convince any potential adversary that they cannot win," he stated.[1] Following his Philippines engagement, Bradley is scheduled to travel to Japan for consultations with military officials.[1] The joint training efforts will include specialized warfare exercises in Batanes and other western Philippine provinces facing the South China Sea, as well as larger-scale annual multilateral drills involving allied nations including Japan, Australia, Canada, and France.[1]
The enhanced cooperation builds on earlier initiatives, with U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth first disclosing plans during a visit to Manila to establish a joint U.S.-Philippine special forces training facility in Batanes.[1]