United States
Australia
United Kingdom
Europe
New Zealand
Canada
Yokosuka, Kanagawa, Japan — U.S. naval forces on Sept. 20 joined maritime forces taking part in the ADMM-Plus Experts’ Working Group on Maritime Security Joint Cooperative Activity (MS JCA), a multilateral exercise co-hosted by Japan and the Republic of the Philippines to build cooperation, improve collective maritime domain awareness, and bolster regional resilience to natural disasters.
“We are honored to be operating alongside our allies and regional partners for the MS JCA,” said U.S. Navy Capt. Bryan Gallant, operations officer for Commander, Task Force 76. “Practicing together now ensures we are ready before a crisis. This exercise builds the hands-on proficiency we need to coordinate smoothly and respond effectively to real-world challenges alongside our partners, keeping the Indo-Pacific free and open.”
Countries deploying ships, aircraft, and personnel include Australia, Brunei, India, Japan, New Zealand, the Republic of the Philippines, the Republic of Singapore, and the United States.
Participating platforms include USS Canberra (LCS 30), a P-8A Poseidon, INS Kulish (P63), BRP Jose Rizal (FFG14), BRP Tarlac (LD601), HMAS Perth (FFH 157), RSS Justice, KDB Darussalam (06), HMNZS Te Mana (F 111), and HMNZS Aotearoa (A 11).
Following an opening ceremony, the shore phase in Subic Bay, Zambales, Philippines, will feature a disaster-response tabletop exercise, subject-matter exchanges, an open house aboard participating ships, and cultural activities. A subsequent sea phase will train key maritime skillsets and interoperability among the participating forces.
The ADMM-Plus brings together ASEAN members and dialogue partners to deepen security and defense cooperation for regional peace, stability, and development. First convened in Ha Noi, Vietnam, on Oct. 12, 2010, the ADMM-Plus EWG leads the MS JCA to enhance multilateral interoperability, information sharing, and practical cooperation in a humanitarian assistance and disaster response scenario.
U.S. 7th Fleet, the Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, routinely works with allies and partners to help preserve a free and open Indo-Pacific.
