An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.



 

Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity Joint Statement

07 August 2024

From U.S. Indo-Pacific Command Public Affairs

Download Icon Download

SOUTH CHINA SEA (Aug. 7, 2024) A U.S. Navy Sailor assigned to the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Lake Erie (CG 70), observes the Royal Canadian Navy Halifax-class frigate HMCS Montreal (FFH 336), while in formation a quadrilateral Maritime Cooperation Activity exercise with the Australia, Canada, the Philippines and the U.S., Aug. 7, 2024. Lake Erie is assigned to Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15, the Navy’s largest DESRON and the U.S. 7th Fleet’s principal surface force. 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. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. j.g. Selena Esteban)
SOUTH CHINA SEA (Aug. 7, 2024) A U.S. Navy Sailor assigned to the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Lake Erie (CG 70), observes the Royal Canadian Navy Halifax-class frigate HMCS Montreal (FFH 336), while in formation a quadrilateral Maritime Cooperation Activity exercise with the Australia, Canada, the Philippines and the U.S., Aug. 7, 2024. Lake Erie is assigned to Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15, the Navy’s largest DESRON and the U.S. 7th Fleet’s principal surface force. 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. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. j.g. Selena Esteban)
SOUTH CHINA SEA (Aug. 7, 2024) A U.S. Navy Sailor assigned to the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Lake Erie (CG 70), observes the Royal Canadian Navy Halifax-class frigate HMCS Montreal (FFH 336), while in formation a quadrilateral Maritime Cooperation Activity exercise with the Australia, Canada, the Philippines and the U.S., Aug. 7, 2024. Lake Erie is assigned to Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15, the Navy’s largest DESRON and the U.S. 7th Fleet’s principal surface force. 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. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. j.g. Selena Esteban)
Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity
SOUTH CHINA SEA (Aug. 7, 2024) A U.S. Navy Sailor assigned to the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Lake Erie (CG 70), observes the Royal Canadian Navy Halifax-class frigate HMCS Montreal (FFH 336), while in formation a quadrilateral Maritime Cooperation Activity exercise with the Australia, Canada, the Philippines and the U.S., Aug. 7, 2024. Lake Erie is assigned to Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15, the Navy’s largest DESRON and the U.S. 7th Fleet’s principal surface force. 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. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. j.g. Selena Esteban)
Download Image
Image Details
Photo By: Lt. j.g. Selena Esteban
VIRIN: 240807-N-N0824-1005

Australia, Canada, the Philippines, and the United States uphold the right to freedom of navigation and overflight, other lawful uses of the sea and international airspace, as well as respect for maritime rights under international law, as reflected in the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Demonstrating our collective commitment to strengthen regional and international cooperation in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific, our combined armed forces will conduct a Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity within the Philippines’ Exclusive Economic Zone on August 7 and 8, 2024.

SOUTH CHINA SEA (August 7, 2024) U.S. Navy Sailors assigned to the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Lake Erie (CG 70), observe the Philippine Navy’s Jose Rizal-class frigate BRP Jose Rizal (FF 150), during a quadrilateral Maritime Cooperation Activity exercise with the Australia, Canada, the Philippines and the U.S., Aug. 7, 2024, Aug. 7, 2024. Lake Erie is assigned to Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15, the Navy’s largest DESRON and the U.S. 7th Fleet’s principal surface force. 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. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. j.g. Selena Esteban)
SOUTH CHINA SEA (August 7, 2024) U.S. Navy Sailors assigned to the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Lake Erie (CG 70), observe the Philippine Navy’s Jose Rizal-class frigate BRP Jose Rizal (FF 150), during a quadrilateral Maritime Cooperation Activity exercise with the Australia, Canada, the Philippines and the U.S., Aug. 7, 2024, Aug. 7, 2024. Lake Erie is assigned to Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15, the Navy’s largest DESRON and the U.S. 7th Fleet’s principal surface force. 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. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. j.g. Selena Esteban)
SOUTH CHINA SEA (August 7, 2024) The Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Lake Erie (CG 70) right, sails in formation with the Philippine Navy’s Jose Rizal-class frigate BRP Jose Rizal (FF 150), left, and the Gregorio del Pilar-class patrol ship Ramon Alcaraz (PS 16), during a quadrilateral Maritime Cooperation Activity exercise with the Australia, Canada, the Philippines and the U.S., Aug. 7, 2024, Aug. 7, 2024. Lake Erie is assigned to Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15, the Navy’s largest DESRON and the U.S. 7th Fleet’s principal surface force. 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. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. j.g. Selena Esteban)
SOUTH CHINA SEA (August 7, 2024) The Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Lake Erie (CG 70) right, sails in formation with the Philippine Navy’s Jose Rizal-class frigate BRP Jose Rizal (FF 150), left, and the Gregorio del Pilar-class patrol ship Ramon Alcaraz (PS 16), during a quadrilateral Maritime Cooperation Activity exercise with the Australia, Canada, the Philippines and the U.S., Aug. 7, 2024, Aug. 7, 2024. Lake Erie is assigned to Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15, the Navy’s largest DESRON and the U.S. 7th Fleet’s principal surface force. 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. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. j.g. Selena Esteban)
SOUTH CHINA SEA (Aug. 7, 2024) The Philippine Navy’s Gregorio del Pilar-class patrol ship BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PS 16), front, the Jose Rizal-class frigate BRP Jose Rizal (FF 150), left, the Royal Canadian Navy Halifax-class frigate HMCS Montreal (FFH 336), right, and the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Lake Erie (CG 70), sail in formation during a quadrilateral Maritime Cooperation Activity exercise with the Australia, Canada, the Philippines and the U.S., Aug. 7, 2024Lake Erie is assigned to Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15, the Navy’s largest DESRON and the U.S. 7th Fleet’s principal surface force. 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. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. j.g. Selena Esteban)
SOUTH CHINA SEA (Aug. 7, 2024) The Philippine Navy’s Gregorio del Pilar-class patrol ship BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PS 16), front, the Jose Rizal-class frigate BRP Jose Rizal (FF 150), left, the Royal Canadian Navy Halifax-class frigate HMCS Montreal (FFH 336), right, and the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Lake Erie (CG 70), sail in formation during a quadrilateral Maritime Cooperation Activity exercise with the Australia, Canada, the Philippines and the U.S., Aug. 7, 2024Lake Erie is assigned to Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15, the Navy’s largest DESRON and the U.S. 7th Fleet’s principal surface force. 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. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. j.g. Selena Esteban)
SOUTH CHINA SEA (Aug. 7, 2024) A U.S. Navy Sailor from the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Lake Erie (CG 70), left, watches as the Philippine Navy’s Gregorio del Pilar-class patrol ship BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PS 16), center, and Royal Canadian Navy Halifax-class frigate HMCS Montreal (FFH 336) sail in formation during a quadrilateral Maritime Cooperation Activity exercise with the Australia, Canada, the Philippines and the U.S., Aug. 7, 2024. Lake Erie is assigned to Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15, the Navy’s largest DESRON and the U.S. 7th Fleet’s principal surface force. 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. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. j.g. Selena Esteban)
SOUTH CHINA SEA (Aug. 7, 2024) A U.S. Navy Sailor from the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Lake Erie (CG 70), left, watches as the Philippine Navy’s Gregorio del Pilar-class patrol ship BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PS 16), center, and Royal Canadian Navy Halifax-class frigate HMCS Montreal (FFH 336) sail in formation during a quadrilateral Maritime Cooperation Activity exercise with the Australia, Canada, the Philippines and the U.S., Aug. 7, 2024. Lake Erie is assigned to Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15, the Navy’s largest DESRON and the U.S. 7th Fleet’s principal surface force. 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. (U.S. Navy photo by Lt. j.g. Selena Esteban)

The naval and air force units of participating nations will operate together enhancing cooperation and interoperability between our armed forces. The activity will be conducted in a manner that is consistent with international law and with due regard to the safety of navigation and the rights and interests of other States.

We stand together to address common maritime challenges and underscore our shared dedication to upholding international law and the rules-based order. Our four nations reaffirm the 2016 South China Sea Arbitral Tribunal Award as a final and legally binding decision on the parties to the dispute.

Guidance-Card-Icon Dept-Exclusive-Card-Icon