Quite a collection
How about this super unusual photoex captured recently of allies steaming during the Division Tactics (DIVTACS) serial for Exercise Sama Sama 2025 in the South China Sea.
“A U.S. Navy P-8A Poseidon soars overhead, while naval power from the Philippines, Japan, Canada, and the U.S. sail in formation: USS Cincinnati (LCS 20), BRP Antonio Luna (FF 151), BRP Jose Andrada (PC 370), JS Onami (DD 111), BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PS-16), and HMCS Max Bernays (AOPV 432).”
A U.S. Navy P-8A Poseidon, attached to Commander, Task Force 72, flies overhead while the Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Cincinnati (LCS 20), Philippine Navy Jose Rizal-class guided missile frigate BRP Antonio Luna (FF 151), and Jose Andrada-class coastal patrol boat BRP Jose Andrada (PC 370), Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force Takanami-class destroyer JS Onami (DD 111), and Royal Canadian Navy Harry Dewolf-class offshore patrol vessel HMCS Max Bernays (AOPV 432). Photo by PAO DESRON Seven
The U.S. Navy Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Cincinnati (LCS 20), Philippine Navy Jose Rizal-class guided missile frigate BRP Antonio Luna (FF 151), Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force Takanami-class destroyer JS Onami (DD 111), and Royal Canadian Navy Harry Dewolf-class offshore patrol vessel HMCS Max Bernays (AOPV 432) sail in formation in the South China Sea during Exercise Sama Sama 2025, Oct. 13, 2025. Photo by PAO DESRON Seven
The U.S. Navy Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Cincinnati (LCS 20), Philippine Navy Jose Rizal-class guided missile frigate BRP Antonio Luna (FF 151), Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force Takanami-class destroyer JS Onami (DD 111), and Royal Canadian Navy Harry Dewolf-class offshore patrol vessel HMCS Max Bernays (AOPV 432) sail in formation in the South China Sea during Exercise Sama Sama 2025, Oct. 13, 2025. Photo by PAO DESRON Seven
The photoex was also joined by a French Falcon-50 aircraft, and the 95-ton Philippine Acero-class patrol gunboat BRP Lolinato To-ong (PG-902), giving them seven ships at play under the tropical sun.
PN official photos:
While Alcaraz/Dallas (ex-USCGC Dallas) and Cincinnati are well known– I went to the latter’s commissioning back in 2019— Luna is more unusual to American eyes. The second ship of the Korean-built Jose Rizal class (modified ROKN Incheon class) of guided missile frigates in service with the Philippine Navy, Luna is one of the most powerful PN warships afloat, with the 2,600-ton/352-foot FF carrying ROK-designed antiship cruise missiles, a 76mm/62 OTO, Blue Shark ASW torpedoes, and a AW159 Wildcat helicopter along with a decent sensor suite to include EW/ECM and active/passive sonar.
Meanwhile, Andrada is a Trinity, New Orleans-built patrol boat of 78 feet, and has been in service since 1990.
The 6,300-ton Onami, a Takanami-class destroyer, was commissioned in 2003 and is the most powerful of the little surface action group, carrying 32 MK 41 VLS cells and an Otobreda 127/54 main gun.
As for Max Bernays, the 6,600-ton Harry DeWolf-class offshore patrol vessel is almost brand new, having joined the Canadian fleet last May. Designed to patrol the frozen far north, she recently achieved the farthest north position that any RCN ship has sailed, crossing the 81st parallel during the well-named Operation Latitude. Interesting that the RCN is using her for overseas work in the South China Sea. I guess that’s what they get for scrapping the Kingstons.
HMCS Max Bernays on Operation Latitude Photo credit: S1 Jordan Schilstra, Canadian Armed Forces.