Sama Sama, that means “togetherness” in Malay, is an train designed to advertise regional safety cooperation, preserve and strengthen maritime partnerships, and improve maritime interoperability. It’s an annual partnership between the Philippine Navy and the U.S. Navy, whereas Lumbas is a yearly train between the Philippine Navy and the Royal Australian Navy.
This 12 months the workout routines have been mixed for the primary time and helped to strengthen longstanding alliances of the taking part forces.
“It was actually thrilling and difficult working with a number of international locations in a singular effort to search out the ‘survivor,’ and extremely rewarding as soon as we did so,” stated Naval Aircrewman (Operator) 2nd Class Garrett Carlston, after efficiently concluding a search-and-rescue train.
Fight Aircrew-3 of the “Purple Lancers” additionally participated in a subject knowledgeable (SME) trade with members of the Philippine Navy at Clark Air Base on Luzon Island, Philippines. Through the SME trade the aircrew gave excursions of a P-8A Poseidon and defined how the plane executes each anti-submarine warfare and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions.
Through the train, the U.S. and Philippines emphasised togetherness by bringing members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines on board a VP-10 plane throughout a mission train flight.
“It was nice having the Filipino riders onboard demonstrating the aircrafts capabilities and the way we will all work collectively in the direction of a standard aim,” stated Lt. Cmdr. Douglas Tengler II, the officer accountable for the squadron’s Philippines detachment.
The “Purple Lancers” are primarily based in Jacksonville, Florida and are at the moment working from Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan. The squadron conducts maritime patrol and reconnaissance, in addition to theater outreach operations, as a part of a rotational deployment to the U.S. seventh Fleet space of operations.
