The navies of the United States, Japan, and the Philippines held joint exercises in the South China Sea this week to demonstrate the allies’ commitment to an open Indo-Pacific, the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) said on Feb. 26.
USINDOPACOM said in a statement that the United States and its two allies conducted a multilateral maritime cooperative activity (MMCA) within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone between Feb. 20 and 26, focusing on key maritime skills, including communication drills and replenishment-at-sea.
“This activity demonstrated a collective commitment to strengthening regional and international cooperation in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific,” the statement said.
U.S. Navy Capt. Dave Huljack, commodore of Destroyer Squadron 15, said that the MMCA with the Philippine Navy and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force “is a testament to the strength and resilience of our bond.”…
US, Philippines, Japan, Conduct Joint Military Exercises in South China Sea
