Courtesy Story, Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet

PHILIPPINE EXCLUSIVE ECONOMIC ZONE – The Armed Forces of the Philippines, Royal Canadian Navy, and United States Navy conducted a multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity (MCA) within the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone, Sept. 12-13, 2026. This activity continues a demonstrated collective commitment to strengthening regional and international cooperation in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific.

As the 11th MCA of 2026, this exercise expanded capabilities at sea by incorporating and refining shared specialized procedures and maritime doctrines. The 2-day exercise also focused on tactical interoperability, including search and rescue training, deck landing qualifications, and vertical replenishment to build at-sea logistics 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: Halifax-class frigate HMCS Regina (FFH 334) from the Royal Canadian Navy; one AW159 Wildcat helicopter and one UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter from from the Philippines 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; and one P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft from the U.S. Navy.

The U.S., along with its allies and partners, upholds the right to freedom of navigation and overflight and other lawful uses of the sea and international airspace, as well as respect for maritime rights 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.