Philippines Navy conducts CWSCAPEX 2012

The Philippine Navy (PN) is conducting coast watch system capability exercise (CWSCAPEX) 2012 along with coast guard and maritime police, in southern Philippines.

PN Flag Officer in Command vice admiral Alexander Pama said, "The exercise intends to promote inter-agency collaboration in line with the establishment of the National Coast Watch System."

With observers from Australia, Malaysia, and Indonesia, the five-day drill involves command post exercise (CPX) in Davao City and fleet training exercise (FTX) in General Santos City to demonstrate the Philippine forces capability to conduct joint missions under the National Coast Watch System (NCWS).

In addition to 200 personnel from Philippines, the exercise involves two ships, one navy Islander aircraft, one navy Reservist ship, and a force protection unit from the PN.

During the exercise, the troops will conduct simulated Coast Watch System (CWS) operations as well as its stations within the Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao (NFEM) area of responsibility (AOR), while focusing on maritime law enforcement.

The drill will also involve P-3C Orion four-engine turboprop anti-submarine and maritime aircraft from the US Navy to perform patrol, surveillance, tracking, and monitoring a designated target vessel or Contact of Interest (COI).

CWSCAPEX 2012 is scheduled to take place from 3 to 7 September 2012.