Tuesday, September 17, 2019

BRP Ramon Alcaraz back from 1st ASEAN-US maritime exercise

From the Philippine News Agency (Sep 17, 2019): BRP Ramon Alcaraz back from 1st ASEAN-US maritime exercise



The Philippine Navy (PN) on Monday accorded a warm welcome to the BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PS-16) and its 160-man contingent which participated in the first-ever ASEAN United States Maritime Exercise (AUMX) that was conducted off Sattahip, Thailand on September 2-6.

Welcoming ceremonies were held at Pier 13, Manila South Harbor, Navy public affairs office chief, Lt. Commander Maria Christina Roxas, said.

The event was spearheaded by Navy chief-of-naval staff, Rear Adm. Loumer Bernabe, who represented flag-officer-in-command, Vice Adm. Robert Empedrad.

Naval Task Force 80.5, as the PN contingent to the AUMX was known, was headed by Capt. Hilarion Cesista. The unit also paid a port visit to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam on September 7-10 during its return journey to the Philippines.

Bernabe said the PN participation in the AUMX and third visit to Vietnam were another defining moment for the organization.

“Our presence signifies the continuing support we extend in fostering peace, security and progress in the Southeast Asian region. We successfully achieve our objective to enhance and strengthen cooperation, partnership and unity with other participants through AUMX and the port visit conducted in Vietnam,” he said.

The AUMX 2019 was the first-ever maritime drill involving the navies of the ASEAN member-states and the United States and the fourth International Defense and Security Engagement the PN has participated in this year.

The highlight of this exercise was the sea phase executed in the Gulf of Thailand, wherein the Ramon Alcaraz joined six other warships in the conduct of scenario-based visit, board, search and seizure of chartered-commercial ships as vessels of interest.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1080633

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