U.S. TROOPS PREPARE HOWITZER CANNON FOR MANUEVERS IN PHILIPPINES, 2002-04-21 (photo)

U.S. troops prepare a 105mm Howitzer cannon at the former American naval base of Subic Bay in Olongapo, April 21, 2002, on the eve of a two-week-long military exercise with the Philippines intended to help the two countries rebel external attack and combat terror. The joint maneuvers, to be held on the main Philippine island of Luzon starting on Monday, coincides with a separate U.S.-Philippine exercise in the country's south to boost the skills of Filipinos fighting Muslim guerrillas linked to Osama bin Laden and his al-Qaeda network. REUTERS/Romeo Ranoco RR/RCS