AFP, U.S. forces cap WPS drills

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Sunday said it has concluded this year’s first maritime cooperative activity (MCA) with its counterparts from the United States Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) in the West Philippine Sea.

AFP Public Affairs Office Col. Xerxes Trinidad said the MCA was conducted from 17 to 18 January off the coast of Palawan, within the country’s exclusive economic zone in the WPS.

“This fifth iteration of the MCA with the United States reinforced bilateral maritime cooperation and interoperability,” Trinidad said.

The AFP utilized the Philippine Navy’s BRP Antonio Luna (FF151) and BRP Andres Bonifacio (PS17), as well as the Philippine Air Force’s two FA-50 fighter aircraft and other search-and-rescue (SAR) assets.

USINDOPACOM, meanwhile, used its USS Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group (VIN CSG), USS Princeton (CG59), USS Sterett (DDG104), an MH-60 Seahawk helicopter, a V-22 Osprey, and two F-18 Hornet aircraft.

The participating forces conducted a communications check exercise (COMMEX), division tactics/officer of the watch (DIVTACS/OOW) maneuvers, and a photo exercise (PHOTOEX) on 17 January, followed by dissimilar aircraft combat training (DACT) the next day.

AFP Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. said the MCA resulted from the shared commitment and mutual effort of the Philippines and the US to promote peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region and serves as a pillar of regional stability.

“This MCA is a crucial element of our continued efforts to strengthen defense cooperation. With each exercise, we become increasingly prepared and effective in addressing the challenges ahead,” Brawner said.