SUBIC BAY, Philippines – The U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, Armed Forces of the Philippines, and allied forces have commenced the eighth iteration of Exercise Sama Sama in the vicinity of Subic Bay, Republic of the Philippines, marking the one-year anniversary of the exercise. Beginning of two weeks of maritime engagements designed to enhance interoperability and strengthen security relations between regional partners, October 7.
The Sama Sama 2024 programme, part of the Cooperation, Readiness and Training (CARAT) series, builds on the legacy of previous maritime cooperation, expanding its scope of operations with the inshore and offshore phases. Participants will engage in specialized training across a wide range of disciplines, including medicine, legal operations, engineering, logistics and public affairs.
“This exercise has evolved significantly since its inception. This development highlights the strength of our alliances and our shared commitment to peace, security and cooperation in the maritime domain,” said the head of the U.S. delegation, Adm. Todd Simikata, Commander: Western Pacific Logistics, Task Force 73. “It's more important than ever.”
Working alongside naval ships and maritime surveillance aircraft, specialist teams, including diving and explosive ordnance disposal units, will conduct high-intensity exercises focusing on anti-submarine warfare and anti-submarine warfare. Surface warfare, anti-air warfare, and maritime domain awareness.
“Sama-sama,” which means “togetherness” in Tagalog, reflects the decades-long spirit of partnership among allies in the region. Sama Sama 2024, a bilateral Philippines-US exercise with invited allied and partner participants, continues to evolve in complexity and scope into a more sophisticated, multinational environment with each iteration.
This year's exercise includes participants from Australia, Japan, Canada, France and Japan, representing a collective commitment to stability and security in the Indo-Pacific region.
“Today we witness the deepening of relations between the Philippine Navy and the US Navy along with our partners from Australia, Canada, France, the United Kingdom and Japan,” said Philippine Navy Delegation Head Admiral Jose Ma. Ambrosio Ezpeleta, Vice Commander of the Philippine Navy. “This exercise is a powerful investment in our collective movement and an opportunity to confront regional challenges together.”
Participating assets from the United States include the Navy's Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Howard (DDG 83) and the P-8A Poseidon maritime surveillance aircraft. Personnel from U.S. 7th Fleet, Command Task Forces (CTF) 76, 75, and 72, Destroyer Squadron 7 Command (DESRON 7), and Marine Corps Forces Marine Rotational Force – Southeast Asia (MRF-)SEA), It also participates in Sama Sama 2024.
From partner nations, we welcome Philippine Navy BRP Jose Rizal (FF 150); BRP Waray (LC-288); BRP Nestor Reinoso (PC 380); Force Reconnaissance Group, Marine Special Operations Unit 2; And the support units that include a medical and media team. The Royal Canadian Navy will bring the Halifax-class frigate HMCS Vancouver (FFH 331) and a CH-148 Cyclone helicopter. The Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force Shin Maywa US-2 and Kawasaki P-1 maritime patrol aircraft are also participating in the maneuvers.
“Through exercises like Sama Sama, we continue to improve our interoperability and readiness while deepening our understanding of each other’s capabilities. This exercise reflects our enduring partnership, a partnership built on trust, shared values and mutual defense,” Simakata said. “Together we will work to improve Our ability to respond to natural disasters, maritime threats and humanitarian crises, while ensuring the safety and security of this vital region.
This year marks the 30th edition of CARAT, a multinational series of exercises designed to enhance the capabilities of U.S. Navy forces and partners to work together in response to conventional and non-traditional maritime security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region.
As the US Navy's DESRON 7 is deployed to Southeast Asia, it serves as the primary tactical and operational commander for the littoral combat ships deployed on rotation in Singapore. The DESRON 7 also serves as a CTF 76 Sea Combat
The Commander builds partnerships through military exercises and engagements as the implementing agent for the Commander, CARAT Task Group.
The U.S. 7th Fleet is the Navy's largest forward-deployed fleet, routinely interacting and working with allies and partners in keeping the Indo-Pacific region free and open.
