Manila Bulletin
Philippines
National
MMCA in WPS: US warship transports AFP assets to Palawan in milestone interoperability drill
Philippines
National
MMCA in WPS: US warship transports AFP assets to Palawan in milestone interoperability drill
MMCA in WPS: US warship transports AFP assets to Palawan in milestone interoperability drill
Published Apr 13, 2026 10:33 am
A Philippine Navy personnel aboard BRP Rajah Sulayman (PS20) carries out an Officer of the Watch (OOW) Manning Exercise during the division tactics and maneuvering drills alongside partner vessels as part of the Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MMCA) held by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) with the United States Indo-Pacific Command (Indopacom) and Australian Defence Force (ADF) in the West Philippine Sea from April 9 to 12, 2026. (Photo: AFP)
A United States warship transported Philippine military engineering equipment to Palawan as part of a four-day Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MMCA) in the West Philippine Sea (WPS), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) disclosed on Monday, April 13.
USS Ashland (LSD-48), a dock landing ship of the US Navy, carried four Naval Combat Engineering Brigade assets that included a payloader, a telescopic crane, and two concrete mixers from Manila Bay to Puerto Princesa City during the MMCA among the forces of the AFP, US Indo-Pacific Command (Indopacom), and Australian Defence Force (ADF) held from April 9 to 12.
Col. Xerxes Trinidad, chief of AFP public affairs office, described the transportation of AFP assets onboard a US naval warship as a milestone in logistics interoperability between the two allied forces.
“The Armed Forces of the Philippines reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening partnerships with like-minded nations to ensure maritime security, protect national interests, and contribute to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region,” he said.
The MMCA marked the second iteration this year among the three countries – the first time being in February – and the 16th overall conduct of the activity since it began in 2024.
The AFP said this underscored the “deepening defense cooperation among the three nations and their shared commitment to regional security.”
The AFP deployed the Philippine Navy’s (PN) BRP Rajah Sulayman (PS20), the Philippine Air Force’s (PAF) FA-50 fighter jets, A-29B Super Tucano aircraft, a Cessna 208B utility aircraft, and a Sokol search and rescue helicopter.
The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) also joined with multi-role response vessel BRP Melchora Aquino (MRRV 9702), “demonstrating a whole-of-nation approach to safeguarding the country’s maritime domain.”
Meanwhile, Australia deployed the frigate HMAS Toowoomba (FFH156) which carried an MH-60R helicopter and was supported by a P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft.
Lastly, the US Indopacom contributed USS Ashland for amphibious and logistics operations.
Exercise serials included replenishment at sea approach and rendezvous procedures.
Crew members also carried out a communications exercise and maritime domain awareness (MDA) activities. Other drills included division tactics, flyby and photo exercises, and night steaming in company. The activity ended with a formal finish exercise (FINEX).
BRP Rajah Sulayman (PS20) sails out of Subic Bay and transits toward the operational area, demonstrating readiness and commitment to maritime security operations, during the Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MMCA) on April 11, 2026. (Photo: Armed Forces of the Philippines)
Two A-29B Super Tucano aircraft of the Philippine Air Force execute a flyby over the formation, demonstrating close air support integration, during the 16th Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MMCA). (Photo: Armed Forces of the Philippines)
BRP Melchora Aquino (MRRV-9702) sails in formation alongside HMAS Toowoomba (FFH 156) while executing division tactics (DIVTACS) exercise, demonstrating coordinated maneuvering and enhanced maritime cooperation, during the Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MMCA) on April 11, 2026. (Photo: Armed Forces of the Philippines)
An MH-60R Seahawk conducts a photo exercise, capturing coordinated fleet movements, during the Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MMCA). (Photo: Armed Forces of the Philippines)
A Philippine Navy personnel aboard BRP Rajah Sulayman (PS20) executes an Officer of the Watch (OOW) Manning Exercise while participating vessels conduct division tactics and coordinated maneuvering at sea during the Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MMCA). (Photo: Armed Forces of the Philippines)
BRP Rajah Sulayman (PS20) leads formation movement ahead of HMAS Toowoomba (FFH 156) and BRP Melchora Aquino (MRRV-9702) during the Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MMCA). (Photo: Armed Forces of the Philippines)
Philippine Navy personnel aboard BRP Rajah Sulayman (PS20) carry out coordinated screen and sectoring drills during Night Steaming in Company with allied vessels, strengthening interoperability, as part of the Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MMCA). (Photo: Armed Forces of the Philippines)
BRP Rajah Sulayman (PS20), accompanied by a Naval Tug Boat, detaches from the Naval Operating Base (NOB) and proceeds to the designated rendezvous point in preparation for its participation in the Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MMCA) on April 11, 2026. (Photo: Armed Forces of the Philippines)
BRP Melchora Aquino (MRRV-9702) and HMAS Toowoomba (FFH 156) maintain formation and execute synchronized movements, highlighting seamless maritime coordination, during the Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MMCA). (Photo: Armed Forces of the Philippines)
Philippine Air Force FA-50 fighter jets perform a flyby over participating vessels, showcasing air-maritime integration, during the Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MMCA). (Photo: Armed Forces of the Philippines)
An MH-60R Seahawk conducts a Photo Exercise, documenting coordinated naval operations at sea, during the Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MMCA). (Photo: Armed Forces of the Philippines)
The Commanding Officer of BRP Rajah Sulayman (PS20) directs shipboard personnel and supervises critical departure procedures at Naval Operating Base, as the vessel commences its mission, in support of the Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MMCA) on April 11, 2026. (Photo: Armed Forces of the Philippines)
Philippine Navy personnel aboard BRP Rajah Sulayman (PS20) render honors alongside their Australian counterparts during a passage exercise, demonstrating professionalism and mutual respect among partner forces, as part of the Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MMCA). (Photo: Armed Forces of the Philippines)
A Philippine Navy personnel aboard BRP Rajah Sulayman (PS20) conducts an Officer of the Watch (OOW) Manning Exercise, enhancing real-time navigation and situational awareness, during the Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MMCA) on April 12, 2026. (Photo: Armed Forces of the Philippines)
Philippine Navy personnel aboard BRP Rajah Sulayman (PS20) execute screen exercise and sectoring operations during Night Steaming in Company with BRP Melchora Aquino (MRRV-9702) and Royal Australian Navy ship HMAS Toowoomba (FFH 156), enhancing coordination and tactical maneuvering under limited visibility conditions, during the Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MMCA). (Photo: Armed Forces of the Philippines)
Philippine Navy personnel engage with Australian counterparts during a replenishment-at-sea (RAS) exercise, fostering camaraderie and enhancing interoperability among participating forces, as part of the Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MMCA). (Photo: Armed Forces of the Philippines)
The AFP framed the drills against a backdrop of continued tensions and overlapping claims in the WPS amid China’s presence in disputed features.
Manila has since stepped up joint activities with allies in recent years to boost deterrence and coordination.
Last month, the United States Marine Corps (USMC) also rehearsed moving warfighting equipment from sea to shore in northern Mindanao ahead of this year’s Exercise Balikatan.
The drill took place at the port of Cagayan de Oro where the USNS Sgt. William W. Seay (T-AKR 302), a roll-on/roll-off vehicle cargo ship of the United States Navy, delivered equipment and supplies, which were offloaded by US and Philippine forces and prepared for transfer to Subic Bay.
It marked the first time such a maritime prepositioning offload was conducted in Mindanao and the USMC said the activity expanded supply routes and tested rapid deployment across the archipelago.
The equipment will support Balikatan exercises scheduled from April to May, with opening ceremonies on April 20. The rehearsal also served as preparation for crisis response operations, the USMC noted.