Filipino and Japanese naval and air units held their joint third bilateral maritime cooperative activity (MCA) in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) on November 29.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), in a statement said the latest MCA underscores the “steady growth of defense cooperation” between Japan and the Philippines.
For the event, the AFP deployed the guided-missile frigate BRP Antonio Luna (FF-151), an AW-159 “Wildcat” anti-submarine helicopter and a Philippine Air Force C-208B surveillance aircraft. The first bilateral MCA with Japan took place in August 2024 while the second was carried out last June.
Japan’s participation in the recent MCA was led by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) with the guided-missile destroyer JS Harusame (DD-102) and a SH-60K helicopter.
The AFP said “both forces carried out a series of inter-operability activities, including division tactics/officer of the watch maneuver where participating ships practiced coordinated movements and station-keeping; and a photographic exercise (PHOTOEX) which involved maintaining precise formation for documentation of the activity.”
Aside from the foregoing, they also conducted a cross-deck landing exercise designed to familiarize helicopter crew and ship personnel with each other’s deck procedures and enhanced coordination in aviation operations.
The MCA with Japan took place just one day after the successful Philippine–France MCA on November 28 in the southern portion of Eastern Mindanao. The back-to-back events highlight the AFP’s continuing efforts to broaden international defense cooperation and sustain regular engagements with partner forces. (With PNA)