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An AW109 helicopter launches from the flight deck of BRP Diego Silang (FFG7) to support Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS) drills during the PH-US Bilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity in the West Philippine Sea.
Armed Forces of the Philippines via Facebook
MANILA, Philippines — Philippine and United States naval and air forces conducted their fourth bilateral maritime cooperative activity (MCA) this year in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), as both countries continued to strengthen maritime interoperability ahead of the upcoming multinational naval exercise in Hawaii.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said on Saturday, June 20, that the activity was held from June 14 to 19.
It involved Philippine naval, air and marine assets alongside forces from the United States Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM).
The exercise featured the Philippine Navy’s guided missile frigate BRP Diego Silang (FFG-7), AW109 helicopter, FA-50 fighter aircraft, C-208B aircraft and Sokol helicopters.
The Philippine Coast Guard also deployed the BRP Melchora Aquino (MRRV-9702) and BRP Sindangan (MRRV-4407).
US forces participated through the USCGC Charles Moulthrope (WPC-1141), 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,” the AFP said in a statement posted on Facebook on Saturday, June 20.
The exercises included search and rescue operations, visit, board, search and seizure drills, communication exercises, division tactics and officer-of-the-watch maneuvers, photo exercises and joint fires rehearsals.
The AFP said the latest MCA aims to enhance maritime domain awareness and strengthen coordination between Philippine and US forces.
“The successful conduct of the MCA highlights the enduring commitment of the Philippines and the United States to strengthen maritime cooperation, enhance maritime domain awareness, and reaffirm support for a rules-based international order in the Indo-Pacific region,” the military said.
