 US troops and Philippine soldiers launched air defense missiles for a live fire exercise at a naval base north of Manila on April 25, as part of their annual joint exercises. Patriot and Stinger surface-to-air missile systems, commonly used to shoot down enemy aircraft and missiles, were fired during the exercise, which aimed to improve aerial defense at the naval base located around 140 nautical miles from the disputed Spratly Islands in the South China Sea. We are absolutely committed to going at the pace and the desires of partners, allies in the region. But also to make sure that we are prepared in order to provide ready forces as necessary, said US Army commanding General Brian Gibson. Tuesday's drills are part of a nearly three-week annual bilateral exercise between Manila and the US, with this year's addition being the largest in scale yet, with over 17,000 participating soldiers. Last year in other locations around the end of Pacific, we have done similar things in different ways with new partners. So we are absolutely committed to going at the pace and the desires of partners, allies in the region, but also to make sure that we are prepared in order to provide ready forces as necessary.