Helicopter Aboard PH Frigate Joins RIMPAC Anti-sub Exercise

21 Juli 2022

BRP Antonio Luna FF-151 during RIMPAC 2022 (all photos : DVIDS)

MANILA – The Philippine Navy (PN) on Wednesday announced that its AgustaWestland (AW-109) helicopter aboard the missile frigate BRP Antonio Luna (FF-151) participated in the anti-submarine drills of this year's Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise.

Navy spokesperson, Commander Benjo Negranza, said the drills, formally known as the combined anti-submarine warfare exercise, took place on July 14 or two days after the start of the RIMPAC's sea phase.

"During this exercise, personnel on board a surface or air asset were tasked and trained to recognize a submarine maneuvering broached and submerged at periscope depth," he said.

Periscope depth refers to the depth where the submarine is lying and able to use its periscope for tracking and target identification purposes.

Negranza said the AW-109 is part of the Naval Task Group 80.5 wing component led by pilot-in-command, Lt. Philipp Concepcion Padreganda, along with co-pilots Lt. Elvan Anthony Marcelo and Lt. (Junior Grade) Kevin John Reforba.

"The PN Naval Air Wing’s AW-109 helicopter is among the more than 170 aircraft currently participating in RIMPAC in and around the Hawaiian Islands and Southern California," he added.

The RIMPAC, considered the world's largest maritime exercise, is held biennially to promote regional stability in the Pacific region.

About 25,000 personnel from 26 participating nations were set to join the 28th iteration of RIMPAC, which was first conducted in 1971.

This year's RIMPAC began on June 29 and runs until August 4.

Negranza earlier said Naval Task Group 80.5 would help develop, maintain, and enhance the Navy’s pursuit of maritime collaboration with its counterparts through the exercise.

The PN's participation in RIMPAC 2022, themed “Capable, Adaptive Partners,” will be the third after its maiden participation in 2018 and its sophomore run in 2020.

In the 2018 RIMPAC, the Navy deployed the offshore patrol vessel, the BRP Andres Bonifacio (PS-17), and the landing dock BRP Davao Del Sur (LD-602).

In the 2020 iteration of the maritime exercise, the PN sent the country's first missile frigate, the BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150).

Both the BRP Jose Rizal and BRP Antonio Luna are capable of anti-air warfare, anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, and electronic warfare operations.

BRP Antonio Luna joins gun drills

Meanwhile, the BRP Antonio Luna also fired its 76mm. Super Rapid main gun and other gunnery systems during the RIMPAC's seagoing phase, which took place from July 12 to 16.

"During the gunnery exercise, FF-151 tested the accuracy of its main battery 76mm. Super Rapid Gun, 30mm. Smash Aselsan, and caliber .50 machine gun, aiming at the hammerhead targets deployed by the Royal Canadian Navy Halifax-class frigate HMCS Winnipeg while underway," Negranza said.

The frigate's 76mm. Super Rapid Gun, he said, was again fired during the Naval Surface Fire Support "Rodeo" exercise.

Negranza said the weapon was tested by targeting 2D virtual land information.

The BRP Antonio Luna and other participants were given a practice run for gunfire corrections before proceeding with the record firing.

"RIMPAC 2022 helps to gauge and validate the Philippine Navy's capacity to sustain operations overseas, and provides resources and an environment that permit international participants to achieve their individual and collective training objectives," Negranza said.

(PNA)