MANILA, Philippines- Nagsagawa ang Filipino at French forces ng Maritime Cooperative Activity (MCA) sa West Philippine Sea nitong February 21, ayon sa Armed Forces of the Philippines nitong Sabado.
Inihayag ng AFP na ito ang ikatlong sunod na linggo ng joint maritime activities sa WPS at naganap sa joint operational area ng Northern Luzon Command.
“Through joint maritime cooperative activities and collaborative efforts, the AFP seeks to build a stronger, more resilient defense system that is prepared to address the challenges of the modern security landscape,” pahayag ni AFP Chief of Staff General Romeo S Brawner Jr.
Kinatawan ang Pilipinas ng bagong guided missile frigate BRP Jose Rizal (FF150), ang offshore patrol vessel BRP Gregorio del Pilar (PS15), C90 aircraft, dalawang FA50 Golden Eagle multi-role fighters, at Philippine Air Force Search and Rescue (SAR) units.
Ang Marine Nationale component ay isang aircraft carrier strike group na nakasentro sa Charles De Gaulle (R91), Fregate Europeenne Multi-Mission Destroyer Provence (D652), Force Supply Vessel Jacques Chevallier (A725), Air Defense Destroyer Forbin (D620), at Aquitaine-class frigate Alsace (D656).
Bukod sa show of force sa pinagtatalunang teritoryo, nilalayon din ng pagsasanay “to enhance the two forces’ interoperability, communication, and defense capabilities,” ayon sa AFP.
Kabilang sa mga aktibidad ang Communications Check Exercise (COMMEX), Division Tactics/Officer of the Watch (DIVTACS/OOW) maneuvers, Photo Exercise (PHOTOEX), Replenishment at Sea, personnel exchange through rigid hull inflatable boats, Anti-submarine warfare exercises, at Dissimilar Aircraft Combat Training. RNT/SA
