US-Philippines and allies conduct military exercises in the East Sea

This week, Philippine, US, Japanese, Canadian and French forces conducted maritime combat drills in the South China Sea, as part of the latest multilateral naval exercise hosted by Manila.

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

According to the US Naval Institute's USNI News service, the combat training activity was held off the western coast of Palawan Island, part of the Sama Sama series of exercises jointly led by the Philippines and the US, to enhance coordination between naval forces in the Sulu Sea and South China Sea areas.

This year, the participating forces are organized in Naval Task Group 44.1, including 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).

The group of ships conducted live-fire, anti-submarine, air defense and other training exercises during the week, making it one of the largest combined formations to participate in Philippine naval exercises this year.

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 of Task Group 44.1 practiced coordinated surface operations against a simulated formation to test their tactical maneuverability, joint operations and maritime warfare capabilities. The Philippine Navy described Sama Sama as a “high-end joint naval warfare” exercise.

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