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U.S. 7th Fleet and Armed Forces of the Philippines Begin Maritime Cooperative Activity

22 November 2023

From Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet Public Affairs

U.S.7th Fleet (C7F) and Armed Forces of the Philippine (AFP) units began a Maritime Cooperative Activity (MCA) in the South China Sea, Nov. 23.
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231122-N-NO824-1007 SOUTH CHINA SEA (Nov. 22, 2023) The Independence-class littoral combat ship USS Gabrielle Giffords (LCS 10) conducts Maritime Cooperative Activity operations with the fleet replenishment oiler USNS John Ericsson (T-AKE 194), left, and the Pohang-class corvette Philippine Navy ship BRP Conrado Yap (PS 39), center, Nov. 22. Gabrielle Giffords, part of Commander, Destroyer Squadron 7, is on a rotational deployment operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability with allies and partners and serve as a ready-response force in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Annie Rafferty)
231122-N-NO824-1007 SOUTH CHINA SEA (Nov. 22, 2023) The Independence-class littoral combat ship USS Gabrielle Giffords (LCS 10) conducts Maritime Cooperative Activity operations with the fleet replenishment oiler USNS John Ericsson (T-AKE 194), left, and the Pohang-class corvette Philippine Navy ship BRP Conrado Yap (PS 39), center, Nov. 22. Gabrielle Giffords, part of Commander, Destroyer Squadron 7, is on a rotational deployment operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability with allies and partners and serve as a ready-response force in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Annie Rafferty)
231122-N-NO824-1007 SOUTH CHINA SEA (Nov. 22, 2023) The Independence-class littoral combat ship USS Gabrielle Giffords (LCS 10) conducts Maritime Cooperative Activity operations with the fleet replenishment oiler USNS John Ericsson (T-AKE 194), left, and the Pohang-class corvette Philippine Navy ship BRP Conrado Yap (PS 39), center, Nov. 22. Gabrielle Giffords, part of Commander, Destroyer Squadron 7, is on a rotational deployment operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability with allies and partners and serve as a ready-response force in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Annie Rafferty)
U.S. 7th Fleet and Armed Forces of the Philippines Begin Maritim
231122-N-NO824-1007 SOUTH CHINA SEA (Nov. 22, 2023) The Independence-class littoral combat ship USS Gabrielle Giffords (LCS 10) conducts Maritime Cooperative Activity operations with the fleet replenishment oiler USNS John Ericsson (T-AKE 194), left, and the Pohang-class corvette Philippine Navy ship BRP Conrado Yap (PS 39), center, Nov. 22. Gabrielle Giffords, part of Commander, Destroyer Squadron 7, is on a rotational deployment operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability with allies and partners and serve as a ready-response force in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Annie Rafferty)
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Photo By: U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Annie Rafferty
VIRIN: 231122-N-NO824-1007
 

The MCA is designed to enhance interoperability between the two militaries and further advance combined capabilities in the maritime domain.

C7F units participating in the MCA are the Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Gabrielle Giffords (LCS 10), assigned to Destroyer Squadron 7, and a P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft, assigned to the “Fighting Tigers” of Patrol Squadron (VP) 8. 

231122-N-NO824-1006 SOUTH CHINA SEA (Nov. 22, 2023) The Independence-class littoral combat ship USS Gabrielle Giffords (LCS 10) conducts Maritime Cooperative Activity operations with the fleet replenishment oiler USNS John Ericsson (T-AKE 194), left, and the Pohang-class corvette Philippine Navy ship BRP Conrado Yap (PS 39), center, Nov. 22. Gabrielle Giffords, part of Commander, Destroyer Squadron 7, is on a rotational deployment operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability with allies and partners and serve as a ready-response force in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Annie Rafferty)
231122-N-NO824-1006 SOUTH CHINA SEA (Nov. 22, 2023) The Independence-class littoral combat ship USS Gabrielle Giffords (LCS 10) conducts Maritime Cooperative Activity operations with the fleet replenishment oiler USNS John Ericsson (T-AKE 194), left, and the Pohang-class corvette Philippine Navy ship BRP Conrado Yap (PS 39), center, Nov. 22. Gabrielle Giffords, part of Commander, Destroyer Squadron 7, is on a rotational deployment operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability with allies and partners and serve as a ready-response force in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Annie Rafferty)
231122-N-NO824-1005 SOUTH CHINA SEA (Nov. 22, 2023) The Independence-class littoral combat ship USS Gabrielle Giffords (LCS 10) conducts Maritime Cooperative Activity operations with the fleet replenishment oiler USNS John Ericsson (T-AKE 194), left, and Pohang-class corvette Philippine Navy ship BRP Conrado Yap (PS 39), center, Nov. 22. Gabrielle Giffords, part of Commander, Destroyer Squadron 7, is on a rotational deployment operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability with allies and partners and serve as a ready-response force in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Annie Rafferty)
231122-N-NO824-1005 SOUTH CHINA SEA (Nov. 22, 2023) The Independence-class littoral combat ship USS Gabrielle Giffords (LCS 10) conducts Maritime Cooperative Activity operations with the fleet replenishment oiler USNS John Ericsson (T-AKE 194), left, and Pohang-class corvette Philippine Navy ship BRP Conrado Yap (PS 39), center, Nov. 22. Gabrielle Giffords, part of Commander, Destroyer Squadron 7, is on a rotational deployment operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability with allies and partners and serve as a ready-response force in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Annie Rafferty)
231122-N-NO824-1004 SOUTH CHINA SEA (Nov. 22, 2023) The Independence-class littoral combat ship USS Gabrielle Giffords (LCS 10) conducts Maritime Cooperative Activity operations with the fleet replenishment oiler USNS John Ericsson (T-AKE 194), left, and Pohang-class corvette Philippine Navy ship BRP Conrado Yap (PS 39), center, Nov. 22. Gabrielle Giffords, part of Commander, Destroyer Squadron 7, is on a rotational deployment operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability with allies and partners and serve as a ready-response force in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Annie Rafferty)
231122-N-NO824-1004 SOUTH CHINA SEA (Nov. 22, 2023) The Independence-class littoral combat ship USS Gabrielle Giffords (LCS 10) conducts Maritime Cooperative Activity operations with the fleet replenishment oiler USNS John Ericsson (T-AKE 194), left, and Pohang-class corvette Philippine Navy ship BRP Conrado Yap (PS 39), center, Nov. 22. Gabrielle Giffords, part of Commander, Destroyer Squadron 7, is on a rotational deployment operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability with allies and partners and serve as a ready-response force in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Annie Rafferty)
231122-N-NO824-1003 SOUTH CHINA SEA (Nov. 22, 2023) The Independence-class littoral combat ship USS Gabrielle Giffords (LCS 10) conducts Maritime Cooperative Activity operations with the Pohang-class corvette Philippine Navy ship BRP Conrado Yap (PS 39), Nov. 22. Gabrielle Giffords, part of Commander, Destroyer Squadron 7, is on a rotational deployment operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability with allies and partners and serve as a ready-response force in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Annie Rafferty)
231122-N-NO824-1003 SOUTH CHINA SEA (Nov. 22, 2023) The Independence-class littoral combat ship USS Gabrielle Giffords (LCS 10) conducts Maritime Cooperative Activity operations with the Pohang-class corvette Philippine Navy ship BRP Conrado Yap (PS 39), Nov. 22. Gabrielle Giffords, part of Commander, Destroyer Squadron 7, is on a rotational deployment operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability with allies and partners and serve as a ready-response force in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Annie Rafferty)
231122-N-NO824-1002 SOUTH CHINA SEA (Nov. 22, 2023) The Independence-class littoral combat ship USS Gabrielle Giffords (LCS 10) conducts Maritime Cooperative Activity operations with the Pohang-class corvette Philippine Navy ship BRP Conrado Yap (PS 39), Nov. 22. Gabrielle Giffords, part of Commander, Destroyer Squadron 7, is on a rotational deployment operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability with allies and partners and serve as a ready-response force in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Annie Rafferty)
231122-N-NO824-1002 SOUTH CHINA SEA (Nov. 22, 2023) The Independence-class littoral combat ship USS Gabrielle Giffords (LCS 10) conducts Maritime Cooperative Activity operations with the Pohang-class corvette Philippine Navy ship BRP Conrado Yap (PS 39), Nov. 22. Gabrielle Giffords, part of Commander, Destroyer Squadron 7, is on a rotational deployment operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability with allies and partners and serve as a ready-response force in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Annie Rafferty)
231122-N-NO824-1001 SOUTH CHINA SEA (Nov. 22, 2023) The Independence-class littoral combat ship USS Gabrielle Giffords (LCS 10) conducts Maritime Cooperative Activity operations with the fleet replenishment oiler USNS John Ericsson (T-AKE 194), Nov. 22. Gabrielle Giffords, part of Commander, Destroyer Squadron 7, is on a rotational deployment operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability with allies and partners and serve as a ready-response force in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Annie Rafferty)
231122-N-NO824-1001 SOUTH CHINA SEA (Nov. 22, 2023) The Independence-class littoral combat ship USS Gabrielle Giffords (LCS 10) conducts Maritime Cooperative Activity operations with the fleet replenishment oiler USNS John Ericsson (T-AKE 194), Nov. 22. Gabrielle Giffords, part of Commander, Destroyer Squadron 7, is on a rotational deployment operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability with allies and partners and serve as a ready-response force in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. Annie Rafferty)

AFP units participating are two FA-50PH aircraft, an A-29B Super Tucano aircraft, and three Philippine Navy ships: BRP Conrado Yap, BRP Jose Rizal, and BRP Gregorio del Pilar.

U.S. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy's largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region. 

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