PH, US conduct maritime drills in West Philippine Sea

The Philippine and United States militaries recently conducted their 9th Bilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MCA) in the West Philippine Sea on December 9 and 10.

The joint drills, held west of Zambales, aimed to strengthen their partnership in maintaining regional peace and enhance the interoperability of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the US Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM).

The exercise underscores the long-standing defense alliance between the Philippines and the US, emphasizing their commitment to a peaceful region and secure maritime territories.

Assets deployed by the AFP included the BRP Jose Rizal (FF150), three FA-50 fighter jets, three A-29B Super Tucano aircraft, one Black Hawk, and one Sokol helicopter.

The USINDOPACOM contributed the USS Rafael Peralta (DDG-115), MH-60R Seahawk helicopters, and a P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft to the drills.

The drills included activities such as Division Tactics (DIVTACS), complex ship maneuvering exercises, Night Steaming in Company (NSIC), and an "intercept and escort" exercise of a US P-8A by a PAF FA50.