The US, the Philippines, and their allies are conducting military exercises in the South China Sea.

This week, forces from the Philippines, the United States, Japan, Canada, and France conducted naval exercises in the South China Sea as part of the latest multilateral naval drill hosted by Manila.

Ships from the Philippines, the United States, Japan, Canada, and France conducted naval exercises in the South China Sea this week. (Source: Japan Self-Defense Forces)

According to USNI News , the U.S. Naval Institute's news service, the combat training exercise was conducted off the western coast of Palawan Island as part of the Sama Sama series of exercises jointly led by the Philippines and the U.S., aimed at enhancing coordination between naval forces in the Sulu Sea and the South China Sea.

This year, the participating forces are organized within Naval Task Group 44.1, comprising the ships USS Cincinnati (LCS-20), HMCS Max Bernays (AOPV-432), BRP Antonio Luna (FF 151), BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PS 16), BRP Valentin Diaz (PS 177), BRP Lolinato To-Ong (PG 902), and JS Ōnami (DD 111).

This group of ships has been practicing live-fire exercises, anti-submarine warfare, air defense, and various other training drills this week. It is one of the largest combined squadrons to participate in Philippine naval exercises this year.

The US, Philippine, and French naval air forces also participated, including a French Falcon 50M maritime reconnaissance aircraft deployed in the Pacific and a US Navy P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft.

Ships from Task Group 44.1 practiced coordinated surface combat against a simulated formation to test tactical maneuvering, interoperability, and maritime combat capabilities. The Philippine Navy described Sama Sama as a “high-level joint naval combat exercise.”

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/my-philippines-cung-dong-minh-tap-tran-o-bien-dong-331245.html