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US, Japan join AFP in West PH Sea exercise
Manila Bulletin
|November 17, 2025
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) strengthened its security ties with the United States and Japan as their naval and air assets converged in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) for a two-day Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MMCA), a ranking official disclosed Sunday, Nov. 16.
The AFP deployed guided missile frigates BRP Jose Rizal (FF150) and BRP Antonio Luna (FF151), and antisubmarine warfare helicopter AW-159 for the MMCA held from Nov. 14 to 15, according to AFP public affairs office chief Col. Xerxes Trinidad.
Meanwhile, the US Indo-Pacific Command (Indopacom) sent the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group which is composed of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN68), and the guided-missile destroyers USS Wayne Meyer (DDG 108), USS Gridley (DDG101), and USS Lenah Sutcliffe Higbee.
The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) joined with the destroyer JS Akebono (DD-108) and antisubmarine helicopter SH-60K Seahawk.
This story is from the November 17, 2025 edition of Manila Bulletin.
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