THE Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the United States Indo-Pacific Command have completed a six-day Bilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MCA) in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), further strengthening maritime cooperation between the two allies.
Held from June 14 to 19, the activity marked the fourth Philippine-US MCA conducted this year and involved naval, air and marine forces from both countries.
The Philippine contingent deployed several key assets, including the Philippine Navy’s BRP Diego Silang (FFG7), an AW109 helicopter, FA-50 fighter aircraft, C-208B aircraft, and Sokol helicopters.
The Philippine Coast Guard also participated through the BRP Melchora Aquino (MRRV 9702) and BRP Sindangan (MRRV 4407).
US forces, meanwhile, joined the exercise with the United States Coast Guard cutters USCGC Charles Moulthrope (WPC 1141) and USCGC Emlen Tunnell (WPC 1145), a P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, and personnel from the 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment.
Throughout the exercise, participating forces conducted maritime interoperability activities, including search and rescue operations; Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS) drills; communication exercises; Division Tactics/Officer of the Watch (Divtacs/OOW) maneuvers; photo exercises; and joint fire rehearsals.
The AFP said the successful completion of the MCA reflects the continued commitment of the Philippines and the United States to improving maritime domain awareness, enhancing operational coordination, and supporting a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific region.
The exercise was conducted amid ongoing efforts by both countries to boost maritime security cooperation in the region
Meanwhile, the Philippine Navy (PN) said on Saturday that its guided missile frigate, the BRP Miguel Malvar (FFG-6), along with other nations participating in the biennial “Rim of the Pacific” (Rimpac) exercises, successfully executed an air defense exercise while en route to Hawaii on June 18.
Aside from the BRP Miguel Malvar, other participants include the Republic of Singapore Navy frigate RSS Steadfast (RSS-70), Italian Navy multi-purpose surface combatant ITS Giovanni delle Bande Nere (P-434), and Japan Self-Defense Maritime Force destroyer JS Kongo (DDG-173).
During the exercise, participating ships tested their respective air defense systems, firing at an unmanned aerial vehicle target launched from JS Kongo, acting as the simulated low-flying hostile aircraft.
“Such training enables the participating navies to refine tactics, techniques, and procedures while enhancing integration among partner navies,” the PN said.
This year’s Rimpac will run in Hawaiian waters from June 24 to July 31.
