As the U.S. military has been ramping up its training in the Philippines, American troops are an increasingly common sight. In April and May, Hawaii-based units participated in the annual Exercise Balikatan, showcasing new weapons and conducting live fire exercises on the western and northern coasts amid tensions with China.

But as international media broadcast the flashy spectacle of missiles firing and jets soaring overhead, behind the scenes members of the Schofield Barracks-based 130th Engineer Brigade have been working on infrastructure and construction projects around Philippine military bases that commanders hope will support future operations for years to come.

Many of the projects have been in close proximity to Philippine military bases that are part of the Enhanced Defense Coo

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