South East Asia Military News, Reports, Data, etc.

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19th CARAT Philippines Supports Strong and Enduring Maritime Relationship



Story Number: NNS130627-03 Release Date: 6/27/2013 2:05:00 PM
From Commander, Task Force 73 Pubic Affairs

SUBIC BAY, Philippines (NNS) -- The 19th annual Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Philippines exercise commenced with an opening ceremony in Subic Bay, June 27. Continuing through July 2, CARAT Philippines 2013 consists of seven days of shore-based and at-sea training events designed to address shared maritime security priorities, develop relationships, and enhance interoperability among participating forces.

"For the past 19 years, CARAT Philippines has played a major role in the strong and enduring relationship between our naval forces," said Rear Adm. Tom Carney, commander, Task Force 73 and commander, Naval Forces CARAT. "This year's exercise builds on that longstanding foundation, and offers many opportunities to conduct joint and combined training with the Philippine navy, Coast Guard and Marine Corps."

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PN Ship BRP Gregorio Del Pilar PF-15 and PCG Vessel BRP EDSA SARV-002 Together During the at Sea Phase of the 2013 CARAT Exercise Off the West Coast of Luzon ...





WEST PHILIPPINE SEA (June 29, 2013) The Philippine Coast Guard vessel Edsa (SARV 002), left, and the Philippine Navy frigate Gregorio Del Pilar (PF 15) steam in formation during Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Philippines 2013. More than 600 Sailors and Marines are participating in CARAT Philippines 2013. U.S. Navy units participating in CARAT Philippines include the Fitzgerald with embarked Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7 staff, a U.S. Marine Corps landing force, and the diving and salvage vessels USNS Safeguard (T-ARS 50) and USNS Salvor (T-ARS 52) with embarked Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit (MDSU) 1. CARAT is a series of bilateral military exercises between the U.S. Navy and the armed forces of Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Timor Leste. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jay C. Pugh) (RELEASED)

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Two Unusual Visitors to San Diego June 28th are JS Shimokita (left) and BRP Ramon Alcaraz

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ManilaBoy45 said:

WEST PHILIPPINE SEA (June 29, 2013) The Philippine Coast Guard vessel Edsa (SARV 002), and the Philippine Navy frigate Gregorio Del Pilar (PF 15) steam in formation during Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Philippines 2013. More than 600 Sailors and Marines are participating in CARAT Philippines 2013.

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U.S. Navy ships participating in CARAT this year include the USS Tortuga (LSD 46) with an embarked U.S. Marine Corps landing force, the USNS Safeguard (T-ARS 50) with embarked Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit (MDSU) 1, USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG 54), and the USS Freedom (LCS-1).

Here's a picture of the USS Freedom being observed by Malaysian personnel:

​

This is USS Freedom's 1st overseas deployment.

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Philippine President Vows to Rebuild Air Force by 2016



Updated: Mon, 01 Jul 2013 07:11:38 GMT | By Agence France-Presse

"I assure you that before I step down from office, our skies will be guarded by modern air assets," he said in a speech during a visit at an air base in Clark, north of Manila. The speech was broadcast live on radio and television.Among these are "lead-in fighters, long-range patrol aircraft, close-air-support aircraft", as well as transport planes, attack- and multi-use helicopters, air defence radar and flight simulators.He gave no details of the aircraft and equipment, or the terms for their acquisition.

In January an Aquino spokesman announced the government would buy 12 South Korean FA-50 fighter jets to be used for "training, interdiction and disaster response".The Philippines, a former US colony, retired the last of its US-designed F-5 fighters in 2005 and lacks air defence.Aquino, whose-six-year term ends in mid-2016, has set about modernising the military in his first three years in office as tensions rise with China over overlapping territorial claims to islands and waters in the South China Sea.

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I think Pres. Aquino believes his bravado..but.. how much truth is in what he says? How many aircraft will it take for the PAF to defend the Philippines? 12 fighters is not enough. Not even close. And where's the funding coming from to build this air force?

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WEST PHILIPPINE SEA (June 29, 2013) Sailors aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62) wave at the Philippine Navy frigate BRP Gregorio Del Pilar (PF 15) during Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Philippines 2013. More than 600 Sailors and Marines are participating in CARAT Philippines 2013.

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bd popeye said:

I think Pres. Aquino believes his bravado..but.. how much truth is in what he says? How many aircraft will it take for the PAF to defend the Philippines? 12 fighters is not enough. Not even close. And where's the funding coming from to build this air force?

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Actually... I don't think President Aquino even believe what he had said. However, he is a politician first of all, so he need to convince or try to convince his people of their invulnerbility to external threats... that would definitely come as top priority.

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I read in the media recently that Japan is willing to cooperate with the Philippines regarding serious threats on maritime issues in the South China Sea, although no details were announced. The Philippines has brought this serious problem of sea territorial claims to the UN for arbitration, much to the ire of China. One has to understand the "fighting culture" of the Filipinos - when come to the push, I believe they will stand and fight for their national integrity. Not many know the Filipino history of fights during their nation's Spanish and American Colonial periods; and in WW II when their guerrilla forces fought the Japanese even after the initial withdrawal of Gen MacArthur's US Forces. Yes! the Philippines Armed Forces are presently not well armed compared to others in the region. I think they look to their friends and allies to assist them when needed. In this respect, I am sure that if a serious clash happens, the Philippines and a few others would observe US reactions to defense treaty obligations.

rhino123 said:

Actually... I don't think President Aquino even believe what he had said. However, he is a politician first of all, so he need to convince or try to convince his people of their invulnerbility to external threats... that would definitely come as top priority.

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advill said:

I read in the media recently that Japan is willing to cooperate with the Philippines regarding serious threats on maritime issues in the South China Sea, although no details were announced. The Philippines has brought this serious problem of sea territorial claims to the UN for arbitration, much to the ire of China. One has to understand the "fighting culture" of the Filipinos - when come to the push, I believe they will stand and fight for their national integrity. Not many know the Filipino history of fights during their nation's Spanish and American Colonial periods; and in WW II when their guerrilla forces fought the Japanese even after the initial withdrawal of Gen MacArthur's US Forces. Yes! the Philippines Armed Forces are presently not well armed compared to others in the region. I think they look to their friends and allies to assist them when needed. In this respect, I am sure that if a serious clash happens, the Philippines and a few others would observe US reactions to defense treaty obligations.

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One can always pray hard and hope. Just saying.