PH Fleet bolsters ties with US counterpart thru top level meet
The Philippine Navy’s Philippine Fleet (PN-PF) and the United States 7th Fleet (C7F) vowed to further strengthen their cooperation by holding more joint activities this 2022, PF acting commander Rear Admiral Nichols Driz said Sunday, Feb. 27.

Driz said this was the consensus reached by the PN-PF and C7F during the 7th Staff to Staff Talks (STST) in Manila held last February 23.
“We are stronger when we sail together in our common vision in fostering maritime security and stability in the region,” he said.
During the top level meeting, Driz discussed to Vice Adm. Karl Thomas, commander of C7F, various areas where they can improve their cooperation.
These included continuous information exchange; opportunities of bilateral training while conducting operations; capacity enhancement opportunities particularly on warfare; interoperability; and continuous engagement of both fleets for a coordinated and responsive Courses of Action (COAs) to maritime challenges.
“Both parties also explored areas of future collaboration such as trilateral talks, sea base sustainment and logistics; SMEEs in warfare and legal issues; and the development of medical capabilities and capacities,” Driz said.

The Philippine Fleet chief also cited the importance of collaboration with their American counterpart to “help enhance the interoperability of our navies and contribute to our shared vision of a secured maritime environment” in the Asia-Pacific.
Meanwhile, Thomas stressed that the Philippines will “always be one of the US’ most important allies in the region.”
Thomas also thanked the Philippine government for its swift action during the recent mishap of a US F-35 jet in the West Philippine Sea where three sailors were evacuated to Manila for treatment and are now on the road to full recovery.
The Staff to Staff Talks is a regular dialogue and information exchange between the Philippines and United States navies which aims to discuss regional maritime issues for better understanding of the strategic maritime environment of the Asia-Pacific Region.