The Armed Forces of the Philippines led the first-ever simultaneous joint maritime exercises with the US Navy and Royal Australian Navy.
A total of 742 sailors from the three nations participated in the eight-day drills, including representatives from the United Kingdom, Japan, France, Canada, Brunei, and Malaysia attending as observers.
The exercises, held in the Philippines’ Visayas region, enhanced the participating navies’ warfighting capabilities in territorial defense, terrorism, and transnational crime.
The naval forces strengthened their interoperability through drills on maritime law enforcement operations, on-shore and at-sea sustainment, air operations, anti-submarine warfare, and humanitarian assistance.
“This year’s joint exercise shall undoubtedly reinforce the long-standing alliance and friendship among our respective nations while opening broad avenues to complement our joint regional security efforts and advance our maritime capabilities,” Chief of Staff Gen. Bartolome Vicente Bacarro said.
IN PHOTOS: Philippine Navy through Naval Air Wing – Philippine Fleet Officers participated in the conduct of SMEEs and…
Posted by Naval Forces Central on Tuesday, October 18, 2022
At-Sea Operations
The shore phase of the exercises included division tactics, communication exercises, deck landing qualifications, replenishment-at-sea and approach, and search and rescue.
Among the highlights was the successful transfer of 30,000 liters of fuel from Australian replenishment oiler HMAS Stalwart to the Philippine Navy frigate BRP Jose Rizal.
The Philippines’ AW109 Helicopter “Grey Wolf” also conducted takeoffs and landings on the flight deck of the Royal Australian Navy’s HMAS Hobart III.
Originally Separate Events
This year marked the first year that combined the Philippine-US Sama-Sama exercise and the Philippine-Australian Lumbas maritime training.
Until this year, the two annual bilateral events were held separately and in different locations.
“The combining of the exercises provides an opportunity to further broaden our shared cooperation with a range of friends and on a larger scale than ever before,” Australia’s Chief of Staff Commodore Ray Leggatt said.