PHILIPPINE EXCLUSIVE ECONOMIC ZONE –- The Armed Forces of the Philippines, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, and U.S. Coast Guard conducted a multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MCA) within the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone, Oct. 24, 2026. This activity continues to showcase our demonstrated, collective commitment to strengthening regional and international cooperation in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific.
As the 14th MCA of 2026, this activity expanded capabilities at sea by incorporating and refining shared specialized procedures and maritime doctrines. The 5-day MCA also focused on tactical interoperability, including maritime domain awareness, maritime law enforcement, and search and rescue to build at-sea proficiency. This iteration complements the work developed and refined in previous MCAs.
MCAs are conducted in a manner consistent with international law and with due regard to the safety, navigational rights, and freedoms of all nations.
Participating units included: one AW159 Wildcat helicopter and one C208 Caravan aircraft from the Philippine Air Force; Parola-class patrol vessel BRP Suluan (MRRV 4406) from the Philippine Coast Guard; Miguel Malvar-class guided-missile frigate BRP Diego Silang (FFG 07)from the Philippine Navy; Murasame-class destroyer JS Kirisame (DD 104) from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force; and Legend-class maritime security cutter USCGC Bertholf (WMSL 750) from the U.S. Coast Guard.
The United States, along with its allies, upholds the right to freedom of navigation and overflight and other lawful uses of the sea and international airspace under international law.
U.S. 7th Fleet, the Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, routinely operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific.
