Alcaraz off to Australia to join int’l naval exercise

From the Manila Bulletin (Aug 16): Alcaraz off to Australia to join int’l naval exercise

The Philippine Navy (PN) is sending to Australia its most advanced warship, BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PF16), together with 180 sailors and Marines, to participate in the multinational exercise dubbed as “KAKADU 2014.”

A send-off ceremony is scheduled at Subic Bay today when Alcaraz, with the PN contingent on board, departs for the exercise which will be held Aug. 25 to Sept. 12 at the Northern Australia Exercise Area.

KAKADU, held every two years, is the largest international maritime exercise hosted by Royal Australian Navy (RAN). It is aimed at developing interoperability and cooperation among the participating navies.

Twelve countries will be participating in this year’s exercise. Japan, New Zealand, the Philippines, Pakistan and Australia will be sending Navy ships and aircraft, while Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Thailand, Vanuatu, South Korea, and India will be sending personnel as observers.

Capt. Albert A. Mogol, commander, Naval Task Force 80 (NTF80), said this is the second time the PN will be sending a vessel to participate in the exercise since it began in 1993. The first time that the PN sent a ship was in 1999. PN observers were also sent in 2003, 2005, and 2007.

Mogol also said that PN’s participation is expected to enhance its surface warfare capabilities and interoperability with regional navies.

http://www.mb.com.ph/alcaraz-off-to-australia-to-join-intl-naval-exercise/