The United States Navy, Philippine Navy and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force launched Monday a joint Maritime Training Activity dubbed “Sama Sama” in Puerto Princesa.
The holding of the third “MTA Sama Sama” was designed to promote regional security cooperation, maintain and strengthen maritime partnerships, and enhance inter-operability.
“This is the first year the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force will be a participant,” the US Embassy in Manila said in a statement.
US Navy Rear Adm. Joey Tynch, Commander of Logistics Group Western Pacific, who oversees security cooperation for the US Navy in Southeast Asia, stressed that the Maritime Training Activity Sama Sama showed the evolution toward multilateral training and networked security.
“We are strongest when we sail together,” Tynch said.
“MTA Sama Sama gives us a great chance to work shoulder-to-shoulder with our friends, partners, and allies, the Philippine Navy and the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force. We train together so that together we can face threats to maritime security,” the US official said.
The US Embassy noted that for more than 70 years, US and Philippine forces have renewed friendship, partnership and alliance through bilateral military exchanges and exercises.
