The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) launched two naval exercises with the United States and Australia in Cebu on Tuesday, Oct. 11.
This is the first time that Maritime Training Activity (MTA) "SAMA-SAMA" and "LUMBAS" were held simultaneously, and it will be attended by 742 military personnel from the respective navies of the three countries.
“This year’s joint exercise shall undoubtedly reinforce the long-standing alliance and friendship among our respective nations while opening broad avenues to complement our joint regional security efforts and advance our maritime capabilities,” said AFP chief of staff Lt. Gen. Bartolome Vicente Bacarro during the opening ceremony held at the headquarters of the Naval Forces Central (NAVFORCEN) in Lapu-Lapu City.
Historically, the naval exercises were conducted separately but this year was different since they were held simultaneously for the first time, according to Col. Jorry Baclor, chief of AFP public affairs office.
MTA SAMA-SAMA is a bilateral training exercise between the Philippines and the United States while LUMBAS is between the Philippines and Australia, Baclor noted.
The troops will train together on capability-enhancement events to address non-traditional concerns such as territorial defense, natural and man-made disasters, terrorism, and transnational crimes.
The exercises are also aimed at developing warfighting interoperability of participating navies on maritime law enforcement operations, on-shore and at-sea sustainment, air operations, anti-submarine warfare, and humanitarian assistance.
The exercises will be conducted in Clark Airbase, Pampanga; and in different locations in the Visayas region.
Meanwhile, representatives from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, British Navy, Royal Brunei Navy, French Navy, Royal Canadian Navy, and Royal Malaysian Navy will join as observers and participate in disaster and humanitarian assistance activities.
Aside from Bacarro, present during the opening ceremony were Rear Adm. Caesar Bernard Valencia, acting Flag Officer-in-Command of the Philippine Navy (PN); Commo. Florante Gaguia, commander of NAVFORCEN; Vice Adm. Karl Thomas, commander of the United States Navy Seventh Fleet; Commo. Ray Leggatt, chief of staff of the Australian Navy Headquarters; Vice Adm. Tamotsu Matsumoto, commander of Japan Fleet Air Force; and Commo. Mike Proudman, commanding officer of United Kingdom Navy's offshore patrol vessel HMS Spey.