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Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Santa Barbara (LCS 32) sails in formation with Philippine Navy frigate BRP Diego Silang (FFG 7) while Philippine Air Force fighter jets fly overhead during a multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MCA) in the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone, Aug. 24, 2026. The U.S Navy routinely operates with the Armed Forces of the Philippines and partners and allies through MCAs to continually develop, exercise and enhance multi-domain tactical interoperability to uphold peace and security in the region. Santa Barbara is on a rotational deployment to the 7th Fleet area of operations in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Electronics Technician 2nd Class Alexander Klee)

260823-N-QM517-4568

Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Santa Barbara (LCS 32) sails in formation with Philippine Navy frigate BRP Diego Silang (FFG 7) while Philippine Air Force fighter jets fly overhead during a multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MCA) in the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone, Aug. 24, 2026. The U.S Navy routinely operates with the Armed Forces of the Philippines and partners and allies through MCAs to continually develop, exercise and enhance multi-domain tactical interoperability to uphold peace and security in the region. Santa Barbara is on a rotational deployment to the 7th Fleet area of operations in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Electronics Technician 2nd Class Alexander Klee)

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Photo By: Petty Officer 2nd Class Alexande

VIRIN: 260823-N-QM517-4568

As the 10th MCA of 2026, this exercise expanded capabilities at sea by incorporating and refining shared specialized procedures, and maritime doctrines. The 7-day exercise also focused on tactical interoperability, featuring visit, board, search, and seizure; search and rescue; deck landing qualifications; vertical replenishment; replenishment-at-sea; and anti-submarine warfare. This iteration builds upon the anti-submarine warfare serials developed and refined in previous MCAs.

MCAs are conducted in a manner consistent with international law and with due regard to the safety, navigational rights, and freedoms of all nations.

Participating units included: Supply-class replenishment oiler ship HMAS Supply (A 195) and one MH-60R Seahawk anti-submarine helicopter from the Royal Australian Navy; one P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft from the Royal Australian Air Force; two FA-50 fighter jets and one Cessna C-208B Grand Caravan EX utility aircraft from the Philippine Air Force; Teresa Magbanua-class patrol vessel BRP Teresa Magbanua (MRRV 9701) from the Philippine Coast Guard; Miguel Malvar-class guided missile frigate BRP Diego Silang (FFG-07) and one AW159 Wildcat helicopter from the Philippine Navy;and Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Santa Barbara (LCS 32) and one P-8A Poseidon from the U.S. Navy.

The U.S., along with its allies and partners, upholds the right to freedom of navigation and overflight and other lawful uses of the sea and international airspace, as well as respect for maritime rights under international law. U.S. 7th Fleet, the Navy's largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, routinely operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific.