The United States Navy, Royal Australian Air Force, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, the Royal Australian Navy, the Royal New Zealand Navy, and the Armed Forces of the Philippines conducted a Maritime Cooperative Activity (MCA) in the South China Sea recently.
Armed forces from the Royal Australian Navy and Air Force, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, Royal New Zealand Navy, Armed Forces of the Philippines, and U.S. Navy conduct a Maritime Cooperative Activity in Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone.
— 7th Fleet (@US7thFleet) September 28, 2024
Read more: https://t.co/jowp9MK8AL pic.twitter.com/iqVKhnCqvh
Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh said the MCA, held at the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines, demonstrates the strength and the relationship between partners and allies and was intended to enhance interoperability and combined capabilities in the maritime domain.
Sparks joy 🌩@AusAirForce P-8A Poseidon Maritime Patrol Aircraft returns to Clark Airbase in the Philippines following a Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity #YourADF
— Joint Operations Command (@hqjoc) October 2, 2024
📸 LSIS Susan Mossop pic.twitter.com/k5pfsfd77k
She said the exercise was aimed at contributing to peace and stability in the region and upholding the freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea.
ALSO READ:Â Show of strength at Arctic Sea? Maiden Russia-China joint patrol raises stake in global maritime race
This was the first time New Zealand participated in the activity.
Singh said the activity shows the intention of the US and its allies to achieve a secure and more prosperous region where aircraft and ships of all nations may fly, sail and operate anywhere that international law allows.
A flash of lightning, a moment of awe! âš¡
— Royal Australian Air Force (@AusAirForce) October 3, 2024
A #AusAirForce P-8A Poseidon aircraft returns to Clark Airbase following a Maritime Cooperative Activity off the coast of Northern Luzon within the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone.@NZNavy @Philippine_Navy @jmsdf_pao_eng @USNavy pic.twitter.com/sv80qZ6yzj
The US Navy Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Howard (DDG 83) Royal Australian Navy Leander-class light cruiser HMAS Sydney (D 48), Royal New Zealand Navy HMNZS Aotearoa (A 11), Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force JS Sazanami (DD 113), and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) BRP Antonio Luna (FF 151) and BRP Emilio Jacinto (PS 35) participated in the activity.
READ MORE: Amid Iran-Israel conflict and Israel’s retaliation threat, India holds joint naval drills with Iran
Commander of the US 7th Fleet Vice Admiral Fred Kacher said maritime cooperative activities boost the combat readiness and interoperability of the US defence forces and its partners. He added that the activity offered the US an opportunity to operate with naval and air assets from Australia, Japan, New Zealand and the Philippines.
