As the third iteration of the week-long Maritime Training Activity (MTA) Sama-Sama kicked off in Puerto Princesa City in Palawan on Monday, Japan’s navy participated for the first time in the joint maritime exercises of the Philippines and the United States near the West Philippine Sea.

The MTA-Sama Sama (formerly called CARAT exercise) consists of both shore-based and at-sea activities designed to allow participating navies to undertake complex maritime training utilizing diverse naval platforms and operating areas, the US Pacific Fleet said in a statement.

This will mark the first time that the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force will actually participate in the drills as last year, they joined the Sama-Sama as observers during the training exercises.

At-sea phase drills in the coming days include visit, board, search and seizure operations, division tactics, search and rescue exercise, helicopter deck landing qualifications, anti-air and surface warfare tracking, and vessel of interest tracking.

Shore-phased events include subject matter expert exchanges, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, explosive ordinance disposal, among others.

“Any time we can execute realistic, combined scenarios with our partners, it goes a long to make us better and more effective together,” said Capt. Ann McCann, deputy commodore of Destroyer Squadron 7.

The Philippine Navy will deploy BRP Andres Bonifacio, BRP Teotimo FIgoracion, an Augusta Westland AW-109 helicopter and a Beechcraft King Air C-90.

The US Navy assets will use some of its assets including littoral combat ship USS Montgomery, the Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship USS Germantown, the Spearhead-class expeditionary fast transport USNS Millinocket, the Safeguard-class salvage ship USNS Salvor, and a P-8A Poseidon aircraft.