Philippine Navy contingent on a roll as RIMPAC enters next phase

Antonio Luna carried Naval Task Group 80.5, led by Capt. Charles Merric Villanueva, and Filipino sailors began the at-sea phase with serialized training that included tactical maneuvers, a gunnery exercise, and a raid exercise.

This year marks the third time that the Philippine Navy has sent a contingent to a naval exercise of such magnitude which allows Filipino sailors to exchange best practices with and learn from the best navies in the world.

This participation trumpets the command’s commitment in promoting multilateral cooperation leading to the strengthening of relationships and cooperation among regional and extra regional navies. It is also a great avenue to train participating commanders, staff and forces in planning and execution of combined naval operations.

Twenty-six nations, 38 ships, four submarines, more than 170 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC from June 29-Aug. 4 in and around the Hawaiian Islands and Southern California. The world’s largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity while fostering and sustaining cooperative relationships among participants critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world’s oceans. RIMPAC 2022 is the 28th exercise in the series that began in 1971.