BRP Ramon Alcaraz now in Australia for 'Kakadu 2014'

From the Philippine News Agency (Aug 25): BRP Ramon Alcaraz now in Australia for 'Kakadu 2014'

BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PF-16), the Philippine Navy's most capable warship-to-date, has arrived at Fort Hill Wharf, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia Saturday for "Kakadu 2014" Saturday morning (Philippine time).

This was disclosed by Ensign John Windy Abing, Navy public affairs officer for "Kakadu 2014", in a statement Monday afternoon.

He added that the biennial naval exercise hosted by the Royal Australian Navy is slated for Aug. 25 to Sept. 12.

Upon the arrival of the Filipino warship, the officers and crew of BRP Ramon Alcaraz interacted with their counterparts aboard HMAS Stuart (FFH-153) giving each other various tokens of friendship.

BRP Alcaraz and HMAS Stuart are among the ships which will be participating in the 18-day naval maneuvers.

A series of exercises await BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PF-16) and her crew during "Kakadu 2014".

Navy public affairs office chief Lt. Cmdr. Marineth Domingo earlier said that this maneuvers are designed to improve proficiencies and efficiency of the ship and crew, are the following:

*Graduated harbor training;

*Mariner skills work-up;

*Force integration training;

*Structured live weapons practice;

*Collaborate planning;

*Structured tactical free play.

Twelve countries will be participating in the biennial naval maneuvers hosted by the Royal Australian Navy.

The participating countries with navy ships/aircraft are Japan, New Zealand, Philippines, Pakistan and Australia while Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Thailand, Vanuatu, South Korea, and India will be sending personnel as observers.

This is the second time the PN has sent its ship to participate since the exercise began way back in 1993.

The first time that the PN sent a ship was in 1999. PN observers were also sent in 2003, 2005, and 2007.

It can be recalled that on March 2014, Alcaraz’s sister ship, BRP Gregorio Del Pilar (PF-15) was also sent to Indonesia to participate for the first time in the multilateral naval exercise codenamed “Komodo” which was participated by 16 countries.

The PN’s participation in multilateral exercises is an affirmation of its commitment in collaborating with other navies to promote peace and stability in the maritime region.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=676446