QUAD GOALS. BRP Antonio Luna leads three other ships in a column formation during the division tactics/officer of the watch maneuver exercise at the first Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity in the West Philippine Sea on Sunday (April 7, 2024). The United States, Japan and Australia sent their assets in a united stand to strengthen regional and international cooperation for a free and open Indo-Pacific. (Photo courtesy of AFP)
MANILA – The first multilateral maritime cooperative activity (MMCA) involving naval vessels and aircrafts of the Philippines, United States, Australia and Japan in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) finished without a hitch Sunday.
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) public affairs chief Col. Xerxes Trinidad confirmed in a statement the participation of the Philippine Navy's BRP Gregorio Del Pilar (PS-15) with its AW-109 helicopter, missile frigate BRP Antonio Luna (FF-151) with its attached AW-159 Wildcat anti-submarine helicopter, and patrol ship BRP Valentin Diaz (PS-177).
The US Navy's littoral combat ship, USS Mobile, and a P-8A Poseidon aircraft also took part in the MMCA, along with the Royal Australian Navy's guided missile frigate HMAS Warramunga and a Royal Australian Air Force P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft; and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's destroyer JS Akebono.
The naval assets conducted communication exercise, division tactics or officer of the watch maneuvers, and a photo exercise.
Trinidad said the drills were aimed at enhancing the participating forces' abilities to work together in maritime scenarios.
"The MMCA demonstrated the participating countries’ commitment to strengthen regional and international cooperation in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific through interoperability exercises in the maritime domain," he said.
At the same time the quad exercises were being held, Anadolu news agency reported that China's military conducted its own naval and air patrol in the disputed South China Sea.
“All military activities disrupting the South China Sea situation and creating buzzes are under control,” read a statement released by the People's Liberation Army Southern Theater Command on Sunday morning. (PNA)
