U.S., Partner Forces Conduct Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity

The U.S. Navy, Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force conducted a multilateral maritime cooperative activity within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone, July 21-25. This activity demonstrated a collective commitment to strengthening regional and international cooperation in support of a free and open Pacific region.

This iteration enhanced maritime capabilities by incorporating antisubmarine warfare training and exercising standard operating procedures and tactics. The five-day activity also focused on tactical interoperability, featuring replenishment-at-sea, vertical replenishment, maritime domain awareness operations and division tactics.

Multilateral maritime cooperative activities are conducted in a manner consistent with international law and with due regard to the safety, navigational rights and freedoms of all nations.

Participating units included the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer JS Yudachi; two FA-50 fighter jets, two A29B Super Tucano light attack aircraft, one C-208B intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft, and one W-3 Sokol search and rescue helicopter from the Philippine Air Force; the Philippine Coast Guard patrol vessel BRP Malabrigo; the Philippine Navy frigate BRP Antonio Luna and one AW109 helicopter; and the U.S. Navy littoral combat ship USS Santa Barbara and a P-8A Poseidon aircraft.

The U.S., along with its allies and partners, upholds the right to freedom of navigation and overflight and other lawful uses of the sea and international airspace, as well as respect for maritime rights under international law.