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SULU SEA (Oct. 17, 2019) – (From left to right) The U.S. Coast Guard Legend-class cutter USCGC Stratton (WMSL 752), Philippine Navy ship BRP Andres Bonifacio (PS 17), Military Sealift Command Spearhead-class expeditionary fast transport USNS Millinocket (T-EPF 3) and U.S. Navy Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship USS Germantown (LSD 42) steam in formation together during a photo exercise as part of Maritime Training Activity (MTA) Sama Sama 2019. Now in its third year, MTA Sama Sama includes forces from Japan, Philippines and the United States, and is designed to promote regional security cooperation, maintain and strengthen maritime partnerships, and enhance maritime interoperability. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Nathan Littlejohn)
PUERTO PRINCESA (Oct. 14, 2019) – Leaders from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, Philippine Navy and U.S. Navy salute during the opening ceremony for Maritime Training Activity (MTA) Sama Sama. Now in its third year, MTA Sama Sama includes forces from Japan, Philippines and the United States, and is designed to promote regional security cooperation, maintain and strengthen maritime partnerships, and enhance maritime interoperability. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist Greg Johnson)
SULU SEA (Oct. 17, 2019) – The Philippine Navy ship BRP Andres Bonifacio (PS 17) and the U.S. Coast Guard Legend-class cutter USCGC Stratton (WMSL 752) steam in formation together during a photo exercise as part of Maritime Training Activity (MTA) Sama Sama 2019. Now in its third year, MTA Sama Sama includes forces from Japan, Philippines and the United States, and is designed to promote regional security cooperation, maintain and strengthen maritime partnerships, and enhance maritime interoperability. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Nathan Littlejohn)
SULU SEA (Oct. 17, 2019) – (From left to right) The Military Sealift Command Spearhead-class expeditionary fast transport USNS Millinocket (T-EPF 3), U.S. Navy Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship USS Germantown (LSD 42), U.S. Coast Guard Legend-class cutter USCGC Stratton (WMSL 752) and Philippine Navy ship BRP Andres Bonifacio (PS 17) break formation after a photo exercise as part of Maritime Training Activity (MTA) Sama Sama 2019. Now in its third year, MTA Sama Sama includes forces from Japan, Philippines and the United States, and is designed to promote regional security cooperation, maintain and strengthen maritime partnerships, and enhance maritime interoperability. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Nathan Littlejohn)
The exercise involved sailors, coast guardsmen and Marines from the U.S. and Philippine militaries, as well as sailors from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. Maritime Training Activity Sama Sama focused on regional security cooperation, strengthening maritime partnerships, and enhancing maritime interoperability.
Manila, October 23, 2019 — Maritime forces from Japan, Philippines, and the United States concluded Maritime Training Activity Sama Sama in Puerto Princesa, Oct. 21.
The week-long exercise involved sailors, coast guardsmen and Marines from the U.S. and Philippine militaries, as well as sailors from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF).
Now in its third year, MTA Sama Sama is designed to promote regional security cooperation, maintain and strengthen maritime partnerships, and enhance maritime interoperability.
“I could not be more proud of what we accomplished together,” said Capt. Ann McAnn, deputy commodore, Destroyer Squadron 7. “The time and resources invested here will pay dividends. While the exercise has ended, the skills, the knowledge and the relationships built here will only grow in value over time.”
This year marked the first time the JMSDF participated alongside U.S. and Philippine navy counterparts during MTA Sama Sama.
The exercise featured both shore-based and at-sea activities designed to allow participating nations to advance complex maritime training utilizing diverse naval platforms and operating areas.
Participating U.S. Navy assets include the littoral combat ship USS Montgomery (LCS 8), the Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship USS Germantown (LSD 42), the Spearhead-class expeditionary fast transport USNS Millinocket (T-EPF 3), the Safeguard-class salvage ship USNS Salvor (ARS 52), the Legend-class cutter USCG Stratton (VMSL 752) and a P-8A Poseidon aircraft.
For more than 70 years U.S. and Philippine forces have renewed our friendship, partnership, and alliance through bilateral military exchanges and exercises.
