Australians and US sail with Philippine forces

It was a day of poise, professionalism, and precision as three partner nations sailed and flew in formation off the west coast of the Philippine island of Luzon during the latest multilateral maritime cooperative activity (MCA).

CAPTION: Philippines Naval Vessel BRP Diego Silang follows HMAS Toowoomba while they conduct officer of the watch manoeuvres during a maritime cooperative activity off the west coast of Luzon. Story by Lieutenant Marcus Middleton. Photos by Leading Seaman Zac Dingle.

From February 15 to 16, HMAS Toowoomba sailed with Philippine Coast Guard patrol vessel BRP Teresa Magbanua, Philippine Navy frigate BRP Diego Silang, and United States Navy destroyer USS Dewey.

Together, the ships practiced officer-of-the-watch manoeuvres and replenishments at sea.

Overhead, the activity was supported by a Philippine Navy AW109 helicopter, Royal Australian Navy MH-60R Seahawk helicopter, Philippine Air Force FA-50PH and A-29 Super Tucano aircraft, and a Royal Australian Air Force P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft.

Royal Australian Navy ships conducting regional presence deployments are routinely involved in MCAs with the Philippines and other partner nations, demonstrating their commitment to regional security.

CAPTION: HMAS Toowoomba Commanding Officer Commander Alicia Harrison leads a series of complex and coordinated officer of the watch manoeuvres and replenishment at sea exercises off the west coast of Luzon between Australia, Philippines and the United States.

Commanding Officer HMAS Toowoomba Commander Alicia Harrison thanked the Philippines for the opportunity to work together to strengthen the security partnership.

“We value our ongoing close cooperation with the Philippines and partner nations in the region,” she said.

Commander Harrison said it was especially rewarding for her crew to witness the handling and capability of Diego Silang, which was commissioned in December 2025.

“It was a wonderful treat for my crew to see the newest addition to the Philippine Navy in action. It’s not every day you get to sail up close and in formation with a next generation guided-missile frigate from a partner nation,” Commander Harrison said.  

“This strong cooperation between the Philippines, United States and Australia demonstrates how the ability to work together is critical to supporting a peaceful, secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific.” 

CAPTION: Royal Australian Navy sailors stand on the forecastle of HMAS Toowoomba participating in replenishment at sea exercises with Philippines Navy frigate BRP Diego Silang off the coast of Luzon.

Before the latest MCA, a joint Philippines-Australian replenishment at sea workshop was held during a port visit to Subic Bay.

Toowoomba Boatswain Chief Petty Officer Tyler Thomson said the MCA was a great opportunity to put theory to practice.

“It was a fantastic opportunity for our crew to provide some real-world experience and exposure to our Philippine Navy counterparts,” Chief Petty Officer Thomson said.

Chief Petty Officer Thomson said the activity allowed partner nations to build upon shared tactics, techniques and procedures, to enhance interoperability and readiness to respond to shared security challenges.

“This type of training not only ensures that our skills stay focused, but allows us to enhance interoperability between close regional partners, enabling us to work together safely and effectively in the future,” Chief Petty Officer Thomson said.

The multilateral MCA between Australia, the Philippines and the United States demonstrated a shared commitment to transparently promote and strengthen regional and international cooperation in support of an open and inclusive Indo-Pacific.

It also demonstrated a shared commitment to upholding international law during freedom of navigation and overflight, particularly the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

CAPTION: From left, Philippine Coast Guard Teresa Magbanua-class patrol vessel BRP Teresa Magbanua, Royal Australian Navy Anzac-class frigate HMAS Toowoomba, U.S. Navy Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Dewey and Philippine Navy Jose Miguel Malvar-class guided- missile frigate BRP Diego Silang sail in formation. Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Oscar Diaz.

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