SOUTH CHINA SEA –
The U.S. Navy and Armed Forces of the Philippines conducted a Maritime Cooperative Activity (MCA) in the South China Sea, upholding freedom of navigation and overflight, reaffirming the two nations’ commitment to bolstering regional security and stability, July 31.
MCAs demonstrate the strength of the alliance between the two nations and further advances combined capabilities in the maritime domain which support peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific. This iteration included training on routine bilateral surface operations and communications.
“We welcome the opportunity to conduct maritime activities alongside our allies from the Philippines,” said Capt. Justin Harts, commander, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15. “Sailing together demonstrates commitment to our continued coordination with the Philippine Navy."
The units participating included the U.S. Navy Independence-class littoral combat ship USS Mobile (LCS 26), assigned to DESRON 7 and operating under DESRON 15, and the Philippine Navy Gregorio del Pilar-class patrol ship BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PS 16).
The U.S. Navy regularly operates alongside our allies in the Indo-Pacific region as a demonstration of our shared commitment to the rules-based international order. Bilateral operations such as this provide valuable opportunities to train, exercise and develop tactical interoperability across allied navies in the Indo-Pacific. Close cooperation with allies and partners is the centerpiece to the strategy for maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific.
7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy's largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region.