LOOK: PH Navy men arrives in Hawaii for world’s largest naval drills

Photos from Navy Public Affairs Office

The Philippine Navy contingent has arrived in Hawaii for the world’s biggest naval drills in the Pacific.

The BRP Davao del Sur (LD-602) and BRP Andres Bonifacio (FF-17) led by Naval Task Force 86 commander Capt. Ernesto Baldovino arrived at Pearl Harbor on Tuesday for the Rim of the Pacific (Rimpac) Exercise 2018, said Navy spokesperson Cdr. Jonathan Zata.

Photo from Navy Public Affairs Office

This is the first time that the Philippine Navy has sent warships to participate in the Rimpac exercises hosted by the US Navy.

The exercises include humanitarian assistance and disaster response, maritime security, and sea maneuvers. It will run from June 28 to August 2.

Photos from Navy Public Affairs Office

The harbor phase, which will begin on Wednesday, includes urban environment training, ground-air integration training, running zone operations, and amphibious assault.

“The Philippine Navy’s participation in this undertaking is indeed an attestation that the nation’s premier maritime force is ‘coming of age,’ consistent to its vision towards a strong and credible navy, that our maritime nation can be proud of,” Zata noted.

Photos from Navy Public Affairs Office

Among the 26 countries participating in the Rimpac included the United States, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, Canada, India, Malaysia, and South Korea.    /kga