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JOINT DRILLS. FS Vendemiaire (F-374), USS Harpers Ferry (LSD-49), BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PS-16) conducted Division Tactics during the Multilateral Maritime Exercise that kicked off on Thursday, April 25 in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan. Photo taken from BRP Davao Del Sur (LD-602).
AFP Western Command
France's Vendémiaire joins the Philippines and the US in this year's maritime drills
MANILA, Philippines – Over the course of several days, the navies of the the Philippines, the United States, and France are participating in “multilateral maritime activities” as part of the 39th iteration of Balikatan.
Balikatan is the biggest military exercise between treaty-allies US and the Philippines. It’s the first time for France to join these drills.
Navy ships of the three nations met in waters off the coast of Palawan on Friday, April 25, to hold several activities at sea. From Palawan, the four vessels will eventually sail “within the bounds of the Philippine exclusive economic zone,” according to the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
The Philippines’ BRP Davao del Sur and BRP Ramon Alcaraz, US landing ship USS Harpers Ferry, and French frigate Vendémiaire will be spending five days at sea for communications exercises, cross-deck landing, division tactics, photo exercise, and maritime search and rescue drills.
After the scheduled drills, France’s Vendémiaire and the Philippines’ BRP Ramon Alcaraz will hold a bilateral sail in the West Philippine Sea.
The sail comes at a tense time in the South China Sea, especially in the West Philippine Sea, an area that includes the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone. China, ahead of the drills, warned that “drawing forces outside the region or countries not directly concerned into the issue will only further complicate the situation and make it harder to solve.”
China claims almost all of the South China Sea, ignoring the 2016 Arbitral Award which foreign governments, including the US and France, have previously said should be followed.
French Navy FH160 helicopter participating in the successful cross-deck landing part of the Multilateral Maritime Exercise today, April 26, 2024. Photo from AFP Western CommandPhilippine Navy’s NH434 participates in the cross-deck landing part of the Multilateral Maritime Exercise on April 26, 2024. Photo from AFP Western CommandPhoto of Surface vessel FS Vendemiaire (FFH734) conducting DIVTACS taken aboard BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PS16) today, April 26, 2024. Photo from AFP Western CommandThe radioman and quartermaster perform publication exercise as part of DIVTACS during Multilateral Maritime Exercise on April 25, 2024. Photo from AFP Western CommandThe Officer of the Watch ensures that the vessel maneuvers on its intended course during the DIVTACS drills on 25 April, during the ongoing 5-day Multilateral Maritime Exercise as part of the Exercise Balikatan 39-24. Photo from AFP Western Command
LD602 conducting flight quarters operation to receive NH434 and subsequently performing simulated MEDEVAC/CASEVAC. Photo from AFP Western CommandThe French Helicopter FH160 participates in the cross deck landing component of the Balikatan 39-24’s Multilateral Maritime Exercise in the West Philippine Sea on April 26. Photo from AFP Western Command Philippine Navy personnel signal the successful transfer of the evacuee during the MEDEVAC/CASEVAC training aboard Philippine Navy vessel LD602 during Balikatan 39-24’s Multilateral Maritime Exercise in the West Philippine Sea on April 26. Photo by AFP Western CommandPhilippine Navy personnel simulate casualty evacuation procedures aboard Philippine Navy vessel LD602 during Balikatan 39-24’s Multilateral Maritime Exercise on April 26 in the West Philippine Sea. Photo by AFP Western Command Philippine Navy personnel carry out casualty evacuation procedures as the Philippine Navy NH434 helicopter lands on LD602 during Balikatan 39-24’s Multilateral Maritime Exercise on April 26 in the West Philippine Sea. Photo by AFP Western Command Philippine Navy personnel aboard LD602 prepare for the simulated medical evacuation/casualty evacuation (MEDEVAC/CASEVAC) training during Balikatan 39-24’s Multilateral Maritime Exercise in the West Philippine Sea on April 26. Photo from AFP Western CommandDocumenting the formation of MME participating vessels during the Photo Exercise activity of the 5-day Multilateral Maritime Exercise in the WPS for this year’s iteration of Balikatan. (From left to right) LSP49, LPD25, and PS16, as taken from LD602. AFP Western CommandFilipino Navy personnel aboard BRP Davao del Sur (LD602) watching over the U.S. Navy’s LPD-25 USS Somerset as they conduct formations and maneuvers in the West Philippine Sea during the MME on April 29. The photo exercise captured the cooperation between participating forces in safeguarding territorial waters. AFP Western CommandPhilippine Navy personnel observes as LPD-25 USS Somerset sails through and conduct formations on the waters of the West Philippine Sea. Captured during the Photo Exercise activity of the MME on 29 April aboard BRP DAVAO DEL SUR(LD602).This moment was captured during the Photo Exercise activity of the MME on April 29 aboard BRP Davao del Sur (LD602). AFP Western CommandFilipino service members conducting Gunnery Exercises on the last day of the historic Multilateral Maritime Exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the United States Indo-Pacific Command (US-INDOPACOM), and the French Navy as part of the #Balikatan2024. AFP Western CommandFilipino service members conducting Gunnery Exercises on the last day of the historic Multilateral Maritime Exercise between the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), the United States Indo-Pacific Command (US-INDOPACOM), and the French Navy as part of the #Balikatan2024. AFP Western CommandUS Navy helicopter from USS Somerset (LPD-25) performs precise flight maneuvers during a PHOTOEX, gracefully landing back on the deck of LPD-25. AFP Western Command
– Rappler.com
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Bea is a senior multimedia reporter who covers national politics. She's been a journalist since 2011 and has written about Congress, the national police, and the Liberal Party for Rappler.
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