MTA 2015 between PN, JMSDF formally starts Monday

From the Philippine News Agency (Jun 22): MTA 2015 between PN, JMSDF formally starts Monday

Maritime Training Activity (MTA) 2015, or the naval drills between the Philippine Navy and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, formally started in Puerto Princesa, Palawan Monday.

Cmdr. Lued Lincuna, PN public affairs office chief, said that MTA 2015, which kicks off Monday and would conclude on June 26, focused on developing the fleet skills and interoperability of units in humanitarian assistance and disaster response operations, particularly on search and rescue of stricken vessels or downed aircraft in the high seas.

Both the PN and the JMSDF will be contributing one aircraft each in the four-day maneuvers.

Japan will deploy a Lockheed P-3C "Orion" maritime aircraft while the Philippines will use a Norman-Britten "Islander" patrol plane.

Lincuna said that MTA 2015 drills would be held outside Philippine territorial waters.

"This Navy-to-Navy engagement envisions on sharing best practices in non-traditional operations such as search and rescue operations at sea. At the end of the activity the PN expects to improve the techniques and procedures of its Naval Air Group. Likewise, this activity also intends to foster camaraderie, strengthen bilateral partnership between the two navies," he added.

Lincuna said the interaction between the PN and JMSDF was a common engagement extended to other visiting navies from the different parts of the region and the world.

"These activities always provide an opportunity to develop a good working relationship and to explore areas for cooperation in terms of people to people interaction, training, or exchange of ideas. For the last few months the PN has successfully conducted similar engagements with Vietnam, Turkey, and India, among others," he concluded.

http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=774968