CAMP AGUINALDO, Quezon City – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), United States Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM), Australian Defence Force (ADF) and Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) successfully conducted the first Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MMCA) in the West Philippine Sea on Sunday, April 7.
The MMCA held within the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone involved naval vessels and aircraft from the four countries. Participants include the BRP Gregorio Del Pilar (PS15) with AW109 helicopter, BRP Antonio Luna (FF151) with AW159 Wildcat ASW helicopter, and BRP Valentin Diaz (PS177) from the Philippine Navy; the USS Mobile and a P-8A Poseidon from the United States Navy; the Royal Australian Navy HMAS Warramunga and Royal Australian Air Force P-8A Poseidon Maritime Patrol Aircraft; and the JS Akebono from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Forces.
The MMCA demonstrated the participating countries’ commitment to strengthen regional and international cooperation in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific through interoperability exercises in the maritime domain. It will also contribute greatly to the AFP's capability development.
The participants performed communication exercise, division tactics or Officer of the Watch maneuver, and a photo exercise. These activities were designed to enhance the different forces' abilities to work together effectively in maritime scenarios. ///
Photos from WESCOM, AFP.
