By Roy Mabasa

Naval and maritime forces from the United States, the Philippines, and Japan have jointly launched the third iteration of the Maritime Training Activity (MTA) “Sama Sama” in Puerto Princesa, Palawan on Monday.

MTA Sama Sama is a maritime exercise designed to promote regional security cooperation, maintain and strengthen maritime partnerships, and enhance interoperability.

According to a statement posted on the website of the Commander of the US Seventh Fleet, the MTA exercise will consist of both shore-based and at-sea activities designed to allow participating navies to undertake complex maritime training utilizing diverse naval platforms and operating areas.

This is the first year the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force will be a participant since the training started in 2017.

“We are strongest when we sail together,” said US Navy Rear Adm. Joey Tynch, commander, Logistics Group Western Pacific.

“MTA Sama Sama gives us a great chance to work shoulder-to-shoulder with our friends, partners, and allies, the Philippine Navy and the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force. We train together, so that together we can face threats to maritime security,” Tynch added.

Tynch, who oversees security cooperation for the US Navy in Southeast Asia, said that MTA Sama Sama showed the evolution toward multilateral training and networked security.

“For more than 70 years, US and Philippine forces have renewed our friendship, partnership, and alliance through bilateral military exchanges and exercises,” the United States Embassy in Manila said in a statement.