PH, US naval ships hold anti-submarine drills in Southern Luzon

From the Philippine News Agency (Oct 10, 2023): PH, US naval ships hold anti-submarine drills in Southern Luzon (By Priam Nepomuceno and Connie Calipay)

MANILA – Naval ships of the Philippines and the United States held anti-submarine warfare (ASW) drills during the ongoing "Exercise Samasama" in the waters of Southern Luzon.

"To enhance the ASW capabilities of the participating Navy ships, an expendable mobile anti-submarine warfare training target (EMATT) was used to mimic the acoustic signature of submarines, enabling the naval forces to practice and refine their ASW tactics," Naval Forces Southern Luzon (NFSL) public affairs office chief Lt. Kim Paulo Lopez said in a statement late Monday.

Some of the naval ships participating in "Exercise Samasama", which runs from Oct. 2 to 13, include the BRP Antonio Luna (FF-151) and the US Navy's USS Dewey (DDG-105).

The ASW drill is part of "Exercise Samasama's" three-day sea phase that started over the weekend.

Other exercises that took place include the "communications check" between USS Dewey and shore-based units of the US Marine Corps to verify if sensors and communication systems of the participants are operational.

"Subsequently, Navy ships conducted the maritime domain awareness (MDA) exercise as the initial scenario prior proceeding to the visit board search and seizure (VBSS) exercise conducted by the joint boarding force from the PN provided by BRP Lolinato To-Ong (PG-902) and from the USN," Lopez noted.

During the MDA, Navy ships performed the appropriate protective formation while understanding the maritime domain, vessel movements and environmental conditions.

"MDA exercise was participated by US P-8 and PN King Air C-90 aircraft to demonstrate the sharing of information for maritime security. After detecting a vessel of interest, the joint boarding team of the PN and the USN boarded the designated vessel of interest to conduct the proper boarding process in adherence to international legal standards," Lopez added.

After the VBSS exercise, USS Dewey and BRP Antonio Luna performed replenishment at sea approaches with supply ship USNS Wally Schirra (T-AKE-8).

"The ship’s crew was able to familiarize their taskings in their particular stations, and the conning officer was able to maneuver the ship accordingly during the approach to USNS Schirra. In addition, other Navy ships performed passage exercises that developed mutual understanding and cooperation, as well as command, control, and communication among the Navy ships," Lopez said.

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1211468