PH, US hold 11th bilateral maritime drill in WPS

The naval forces of the Philippines and the United States held their 11th bilateral maritime cooperative activity (MCA) in the West Philippine Sea from January 25 to 26, which seeks to boost the interoperability of the two countries in maritime patrolling. 

According to EJ Gomez’s report in “24 Oras” on Monday, the Philippine Navy sent one of its newest warships, the guided-missile frigate BRP Antonio Luna (FF-151) as well as the Philippine Coast Guard offshore patrol vessel BRP Gabriela Silang (OPV-8301). 

The US Navy deployed the guided-missile destroyer USS John Finn (DDG-113) during the joint naval exercise. 

While the two forces were conducting drills, the  Xianning, a frigate of the China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy was spotted nearby. 

“Lumayo rin siya nang lumayo at hindi rin naman siya naka-distract, hindi sila naging obstruction sa daanan ng exercise. Wala namang radio challengers,” said the Luna’s commanding officer, Captain Jennifer Monforte PN (GSC). 

(It also moved further away and did not cause a distraction. They did not become an obstruction in the path of the exercise. There were no radio challenges either.) 

Among the drills in the bilateral MCA was the deck landing qualification, wherein a Philippine Navy AW109 helicopter  had to land on the Luna while underway. Lessons from the exercise could be used during search and rescue, supply missions, and medical evacuations. 

The PCG’s BRP Gabriela Silang also joined the deck landing qualification drill, which also marks the first time that the vessel was used in any maritime exercise activity with other allied countries. 

The Philippine and US Navies also practiced night steaming in company  during the first night of the MCA. It is a simulation of joint patrolling of the sea in low light conditions in open water. 

Meanwhile, the replenishment at sea drill aimed at improving muscle memory and mastery. Such exercises could be used during exchanges or deliveries of supply like fuel to other vessels while out in the sea. 

The two forces also conducted division tactics exercises where warships performed basic combat and maneuvering actions and maintaining formation. 

“Meron tayong surface warfare exercise. Sa mga nakaraan, madalas maneuvering and communications lang. So hopefully sa mga susunod is meron pa ring surface warfare exercise at as much as possible is merong anti-submarine exercises din,” said Monforte. 

(We had a surface warfare exercise. In the past, it was often just maneuvering and communications. So hopefully in the future, there will still be surface warfare exercises and, as much as possible, anti-submarine exercises as well.) 

As another element to the exercise, the Philippine Air Force launched two FA-50 fighter jets and a pair of A29 Super Tucano attack aircraft for a flyby over the formation. 

The MCA concluded on Monday afternoon with the traditional exchange of waves between the crews of both navies as the John Finn departed the area. —Vince Angelo Ferreras/RF, GMA Integrated News