MANILA Philippines — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Saturday announced that Filipino and American naval and air units conducted their fourth bilateral maritime cooperative activity (MCA) in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) this year.
The MCA ran from June 14 to 19 and involved units from the AFP and the US Indo-Pacific Command (US INDOPACOM), now officially called the US Pacific Command (USPACOM).
"The exercise featured Philippine naval, air, and marine assets, including the BRP Diego Silang (FFG-7), AW-109 helicopter, FA-50 fighter aircraft, C-208B aircraft, and Sokol helicopters," the AFP said.
The Philippine Coast Guard deployed the BRP Melchora Aquino (MRRV-9702) and BRP Sindangan (MRRV-4407).
The USPACOM, meanwhile, deployed the USCGC Charles Moulthrope (WPC-1141), the USCGC Emlen Tunnell (WPC-1145), a P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, and the 3rd Marine Littoral Regiment.
"Over the six-day activity, participating forces conducted a series of maritime interoperability exercises, including search and rescue, visit, board, search, and seizure, communication exercises, division tactics/officer of the watch maneuvers, photo exercise, and joint fires rehearsal," the AFP said.
It added that the successful conduct of another MCA highlights the enduring commitment of the Philippines and the US to strengthening maritime cooperation, enhancing maritime domain awareness, and reaffirming support for a rules-based international order in the Indo-Pacific Region.
Pre-RIMPAC drills
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.
