MULTILATERAL MARITIME DRILL. The formation of ships from the Philippines, US, and France during the "multilateral maritime exercise" (MME) of this year's "Balikatan" drills in waters off Palawan province on Monday (April 29, 2024). Except for reports of shadowing by Chinese naval vessels, the activity concluded without any untoward incident. (Photo courtesy of AFP Western Command)
MANILA – The first "multilateral maritime exercise" between the Philippines, United States, and France for this year's "Balikatan" exercises successfully ended on Monday, with all four participating vessels able to complete the activity without any untoward incident.
"The first iteration of the MME between the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the United States Indo-Pacific Command (US-INDOPACOM), and the French Navy concluded on April 29, 2024 in Palawan, marking a historic milestone in regional cooperation and security," Balikatan Combined Information Bureau chief Lt. Col. John Paul Salgado said in a statement released late Monday.
The drills which started on April 25 saw the active participation of the Philippine Navy's offshore patrol vessel BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PS-16) and landing dock BRP Davao Del Sur (LD-602), the US Navy's landing ship dock USS Harpers Ferry (LSD-49), and the French Navy's FS Vendemiaire (FFH-734), a Floreal-class frigate.
Around 17,000 Filipino and American soldiers are taking part in the three-week "Balikatan" drills which run from April 22 to May 10.
Meanwhile, the five-day MME culminated in a series of impressive demonstrations, including a photo exercise showcasing the participants' professionalism and coordination in a simulated formation sailing scenario, and documenting operations through proper photographic techniques for military purposes.
"The participants also performed surface gun exercise(s) which tested the participating navies' live-fire capabilities and communication skills under challenging environment(s)," Salgado added.
The MME provided the participating countries with the knowledge and expertise that can be used to further beef up their capabilities. (PNA)
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