By Free Republic | Created at 2024-11-25 20:14:25 | Updated at 2024-11-27 03:50:52
1 day ago
U.S. Supporting Philippine Operations in South China Sea with Forward-Deployed Task Force
U.S. Naval Institute ^ | NOVEMBER 21, 2024 | AARON-MATTHEW LARIOSA
Posted on 11/25/2024 11:33:51 AM PST by Retain Mike
“The task force is comprised of U.S. forces providing our Philippines allies with enhanced cooperation and interoperability for their maritime operations,” reads a Monday statement from Pentagon spokesman Maj. Pete Nguyen provided to USNI News.
Nguyen said the task force assists in planning and training for the Armed Forces of the Philippines Western Command. Philippine naval and air forces within this command frequently encounter their Chinese counterparts in the West Philippine Sea, an area of the South China Sea that Manila claims as its exclusive economic zone. Task Force Ayungin’s efforts included the integration of U.S.-funded unmanned surface vessels, which were presented during Austin’s visit to the Command and Control Fusion Center at Antonio Bautista Airbase.
According to the Pentagon, the Maritime Tactical Systems drones were provided under foreign military financing. The Philippine Navy’s unmanned surface vessel unit has four MANTAS T-12s and at least one T-38 Devil Ray, DefenseScoop reported.
“The T-12 is a key capability used by Philippine forces to protect its sovereignty and operate throughout its exclusive economic zone in the South China Sea,” reads a Pentagon release. Austin expects more drones to be provided under the $500 million in defense assistance pledged during his visit to Manila in July.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.usni.org ...
TOPICS: Chit/Chat; Military/Veterans
KEYWORDS: china; philippine; sea; south
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I think I am seeing a pattern in my last five posts.
China, being a nuclear power and rapidly expanding its arsenal, changes the strategic equation,
“The task force is comprised of U.S. forces providing our Philippines allies with enhanced cooperation and interoperability for their maritime operations.”
Using standards set forth by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the Philippine Maritime Zones Act and Philippine Archipelagic Sea Lanes Act identify the country’s internal waters, archipelagic waters, territorial sea, contiguous zone, exclusive economic zone, continental shelf and sea lanes. China condemned the new laws, claiming that they destabilize the region and reiterated its claims by posting a list of coordinates detailing maritime features, including Sabina and Second Thomas Shoals, and their Chinese names.
On Monday at 11 a.m., the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) confirmed Shandong, together with cruiser CNS Yan’an (106) and destroyer CNS Zhanjiang (165), were sailing in an area 447 miles south of Miyako Island.
Supported by gunboats and a former U.S. Coast Guard cutter, Philippine Navy SEALs and Marines approached a South China Sea island owned by Manila in a simulated seizure drill as Chinese forces observed from afar on Wednesday.
1 posted on 11/25/2024 11:33:51 AM PST by Retain Mike
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