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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider PH Navy marks first ship-to-ship helicopter resupply drill with US Coast Guard in Bajo de Masinloc

PH Navy marks first ship-to-ship helicopter resupply drill with US Coast Guard in Bajo de Masinloc

Published Jun 3, 2026 02:08 pm

At A Glance

  • Captain Marie Angelica Sisican, director of the PN public affairs office, said the successful Vertical Replenishment (VERTREP) operation involved an embarked AW109 naval helicopter (NH434) from the missile frigate BRP Antonio Luna (FFG15) and the United States Coast Guard Cutter Midgett (WMSL-757).
A Philippine Navy (PN) AW109 naval helicopter with tail number NH434 maneuvers to lay down a sling and net of external load during a Vertical Replenishment (VERTREP) operation involving the PN missile frigate BRP Antonio Luna (FFG15) and the United States Coast Guard Cutter Midgett (WMSL-757) in the vicinity of Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough or Panatag Shoal) in the West Philippine Sea on May 30, 2026. (Photo: PN)
A Philippine Navy (PN) AW109 naval helicopter with tail number NH434 maneuvers to lay down a sling and net of external load during a Vertical Replenishment (VERTREP) operation involving the PN missile frigate BRP Antonio Luna (FFG15) and the United States Coast Guard Cutter Midgett (WMSL-757) in the vicinity of Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough or Panatag Shoal) in the West Philippine Sea on May 30, 2026. (Photo: PN)
The Philippine Navy (PN) has completed its first ship-to-ship helicopter resupply mission with a United States Coast Guard vessel in Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough or Panatag Shoal), West Philippine Sea (WPS).
Captain Marie Angelica Sisican, director of the PN public affairs office, said the successful Vertical Replenishment (VERTREP) operation involved an embarked AW109 naval helicopter (NH434) from the missile frigate BRP Antonio Luna (FFG15) and the United States Coast Guard Cutter Midgett (WMSL-757).
The activity took place on the final day of the four-day Philippines–United States Bilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (BMCA) conducted from May 27 to 30 in the vicinity of Bajo de Masinloc, a strategic fishing ground that has remained a flashpoint between Manila and Beijing.
In a statement released Tuesday, June 2, the Navy said the operation involved BRP Antonio Luna (FFG-15), its embarked AW109 naval helicopter (NH434), and USCGC Midgett (WMSL-757).
The PN said the activity “demonstrated the growing capability of both maritime forces to conduct integrated aviation and logistics operations at sea.”
According to the Navy, the AW109 first conducted three touch-and-go maneuvers aboard USCGC Midgett during a Cross-Deck Landing Exercise, which were meant to test whether the Philippine aircraft could safely operate from the flight deck of an allied vessel.
After completing the deck qualification, the helicopter carried out the resupply mission.
“Following the successful deck landing qualification, the helicopter executed the VERTREP mission by transferring a 50-kilogram external load using a cargo net and sling system,” the Navy statement noted.
Vertical replenishment allows ships to move supplies while remaining at sea. The capability is commonly used by modern navies to sustain operations without requiring vessels to return to port.
The PN said the exercise also underscored the increasing role of the US Coast Guard in its joint maritime activities.

Related Tags

Philippine Navy United States Coast Guard Bajo de Masinloc West Philippine Sea
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