U.S. Marine Corps Pfc. Adrian Gonzalez, assigned to

U.S. Marine Corps Pfc. Adrian Gonzalez, assigned to 9th Engineer Support Battalion and Philippine army soldier Staff Sgt. Albert Loren Jr., assigned to 552 Engineer Construction Battalion, prepare a scaffold for use during a Humanitarian Civic Assistant (HCA) project at Matangharon Elementary School in Iloilo, Philippines, as part of Exercise Balikatan 2016, April 9, 2016. The construction project is one of multiple HCAs taking place during this year's exercise, designed to improve the quality of life for the local populace and strengthen the bond between our two nations. Balikatan, which means "shoulder to shoulder" in Filipino, is an annual bilateral training exercise aimed at improving the ability of Philippine and U.S. military forces to work together during planning, contingency and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Hilda M. Becerra / Released)