VP-45 participates in MT Sama Sama

JAPAN

10.31.2019

Courtesy Story

Commander Task Force 72

PUERTO PRINCESA, Philippines – Maritime forces from Japan, Philippines, and the United States concluded Maritime Training Activity Sama Sama in Puerto Princesa, Oct. 21.

Patrol Squadron (VP) 45 participated in the week-long exercise with the Philippine navies, as well as Sailors from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF).

Now in its third year, MTA Sama Sama promotes regional security cooperation, strengthens strategic maritime partnerships and enhances maritime interoperability between nations.

“The exercise went off without a hitch,” said Lieutenant Josh Markley, a VP-45 pilot who participated in MTA Sama Sama. “It was impressive to see such diverse naval platforms from different nations perform at a high level so well together.”

This year marked the first time the JMSDF participated alongside U.S. and Philippine navy counterparts during MTA Sama Sama.

The exercise featured both shore-based and at-sea activities designed to allow participating nations to advance complex maritime training utilizing diverse naval platforms and operating areas.

Shore phase events included multiple exchanges by subject matter experts on a wide array of naval capabilities, including a maritime domain awareness brief conducted by VP-45. Other subjects discussed were force protection, explosive ordnance disposal, medical care, engineering, dive and salvage operations, humanitarian assistance/disaster relief and visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) operations.

VP-45 conducted two flights during sea phase of the exercise including a photo exercise, search and rescue exercise and vessel of interest tracking, followed by VBSS support.

Participating U.S. Navy assets include USS Montgomery (LCS 8), USS Germantown (LSD 42), USNS Millinocket (T-EPF 3), USNS Salvor (ARS 52), USCG Stratton (VMSL 752) and Patrol Squadron FOUR FIVE P-8A Poseidon aircraft.

VP-45, based out of Jacksonville, Florida, are operating out of Kadena Air Force Base in Okinawa, Japan. The squadron is conducting maritime patrol and reconnaissance as well as theater outreach operations within U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations

MTA Sama Sama builds upon other maritime engagements with the Philippines including Pacific Partnership, the largest annual multilateral humanitarian assistance and disaster relief preparedness mission, Southeast Asia Cooperation and Training (SEACAT), which involves more than a dozen partner nations, Balikatan, ADMM-Plus (Association of Southeast Asian Nations Defense Ministers’ Meeting Maritime Security Exercise) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations-U.S. Maritime Exercise (AUMX), along with other military engagements and exchanges. These engagements serve to enhance information sharing and coordination and support long-term regional cooperation.

Story by MCSA Thomas Higgins. For more news from Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet, Visit www.navy.mil/local/c7f/.

• Date Taken: 10.31.2019
• Date Posted: 10.30.2019 19:57
• Story ID: 349978
• Location: JP