Naval forces from the Philippines and seven allied nations demonstrated a high level of operational readiness and tactical proficiency on Day 9 of Exercise SAMASAMA 2025. Forces under the Western Naval Command (WNC) completed advanced maritime drills with participants from the United States, Canada, Japan, the United Kingdom, Australia, and France, further strengthening multilateral cooperation in the region.
The day’s main event featured Naval Task Group 44.1 (NTG 44.1) executing a challenging Surface Action Group versus Surface Action Group (SAG vs SAG) exercise. This complex drill rigorously tested tactical maneuvering, battle coordination, and maritime warfare competence, showcasing the collective ability of the allied fleets to operate as a unified fighting force.
Simultaneously, specialized units enhanced joint interagency coordination capabilities ashore. Personnel from the Naval Special Warfare Unit 4 (NSWU4), the Australian Defense Force (ADF) EOD, French EOD, Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) EOD, and Philippine National Police (PNP) EOD participated in critical training, including a Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) lecture and a Full Mission Profile Brief.
Following the core naval engagement, Philippine Navy and US Navy vessels conducted a time-honored sail pass, rendering honors to HMCS Max Bernays (Canada) and JS ONAMI (Japan). This traditional naval custom symbolizes respect, goodwill, and the deep unity shared among the participating nations. Further underscoring the exercise’s growing multilateral importance, Italy, Thailand, and New Zealand continued their participation as observer nations.
Looking ahead, the exercise is set to escalate in complexity over the next 24 hours. Participating ships are scheduled to conduct a simulated Maritime Strike (MARSTRIKE) operation in concert with the US Marine Corps (USMC) and Philippine Marine Corps (PMC). This will be followed by a Cooperative Anti-Submarine Exercise (CASEX) involving the Philippine Navy’s BRP Antonio Luna, a P-8 Poseidon aircraft, and an AW159 helicopter.
“Exercise SAMASAMA 2025 is more than just a series of drills; it is a profound declaration of our shared commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific,” a Western Naval Command spokesperson stated. “The seamless integration and high-level performance seen today underscore the Philippine Navy’s enduring partnership with allied and like-minded nations in promoting regional stability and operational readiness.”
