Philippine, US naval and air units conduct joint exercises in West Philippine Sea

Naval and air units from the Philippines and the United States conducted this year's first maritime cooperative activity (MCA) at the West Philippine Sea over the weekend, involving exercises that took place on January 17-18.

Philippine assets included ships such as BRP Antonio Luna and BRP Andres Bonifacio, two FA-50 fighter aircraft, and search-and-rescue assets. On the US side were the USS Carl Vinson carrier strike group with supporting vessels and aircraft.

During the exercises on January 17, participants conducted a communications check exercise, division tactics/officer of the watch maneuver, and a photo exercise; these continued on January 18 with dissimilar aircraft combat training.

This fifth iteration of MCA since November 2023 reinforced bilateral maritime cooperation and interoperability between the Philippines and the United States.

AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. highlighted that the MCA aims to strengthen defense cooperation, emphasizing its importance in addressing regional challenges.