(MENAFN- Gulf Times) The Philippines, the United States, and Japan conducted a new round of joint naval exercises in the West Philippine Sea, underscoring their deepening security cooperation.
The 13th Multilateral Maritime Cooperation Activity (MMCA) -- and the eighth held this year -- involved key assets from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the US Indo-Pacific Command, and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.
According to the Philippine News Agency (PNA) on Sunday, the Philippine side deployed two missile-capable frigates, BRP Jose Rizal (FF150) and BRP Antonio Luna (FF151), along with an AW159 helicopter.
The United States deployed the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group, led by the USS Nimitz (CVN 68), while Japan deployed the destroyer JS Akebono (DD-108) along with an SH-60K Seahawk helicopter.
The Philippine Coast Guard also supported the activity by enhancing maritime domain awareness.
The exercises included communications checks, at-sea replenishment techniques, anti-submarine warfare drills, maritime domain reporting, helicopter deck landings, formation maneuvers, and an integrated final exercise USA Japan Naval Exercises

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