Naval and air units from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the US Indo-Pacific Command took part in the sixth bilateral maritime cooperative activity (MCA) held Tuesday in the waters off Palawan and Occidental Mindoro.
Philippine Navy assets included the BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PS-16), BRP Domingo Deluana (PG-905), an AW-109 naval helicopter; the Philippine Air Force’s ‘Super Tucano’ and ‘Sokol’ helicopters; and the Philippine Coast Guard’s BRP Melchora Aquino (MRRV-9702) and BRP Malapascua (MRRV-4403).
Meanwhile, the United States deployed the US Coast Guard Cutter Stratton (WMSL-752) and a US Navy P-8A “Poseidon” maritime patrol aircraft to enhance the combined forces’ surveillance and operational coordination capabilities.
According to the AFP, this marks the first time that Philippine and US coast guard vessels have participated together in such an activity. The MCAs between Philippine and US military units began in November 2023.
The AFP noted that this development underscores a growing whole-of-nation approach to maritime cooperation. Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. emphasized that MCAs play a vital role in strengthening the country’s maritime defense.
“As the Philippines continues to navigate evolving maritime challenges, joint activities like the MCA reaffirm the AFP’s commitment to modernizing its capabilities and strengthening defense partnerships to secure our national and regional maritime interests,” the military chief added.
The sixth MCA featured a range of activities, including a communications check exercise, search and rescue drill, division tactics and officer of the watch maneuver, among other drills.