By Shirin Bhandari | 2026-03-24

The USS Blue Ridge joined Philippine forces in a Maritime Cooperative Activity (MCA) on March 20 after a port call in Manila, marking the first time the US 7th Fleet flagship has participated in such an exercise.

The activity took place within the Philippine Exclusive Economic Zone and was the fourth Philippines-US MCA of 2026. Participants focused on "maritime communication drills and interoperability," according to the US Navy's 7th Fleet.

"This activity demonstrated a collective commitment to strengthening regional and international cooperation in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific," the 7th Fleet said in its statement.

The MCA took place in accordance with international law and with due regard for the navigational rights and freedoms of all nations, the fleet said.

Participating units included the Philippine naval frigate BRP Antonio Luna, Philippine coast guard vessel BRP Gabriela Silang, several Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) aircraft and the USS Blue Ridge.

Busy port call in Manila

Before the MCA, the Blue Ridge conducted a five-day port call in Manila, during which the US 7th Fleet and the Philippine navy held subject matter expert exchanges and leadership meetings. The ship hosted Philippine civilian and military leaders, along with regional ambassadors, at an evening reception.

The port call included talks between Vice Adm. Pat Hannifin, commander of the US 7th Fleet, and senior Philippine officers including Vice Adm. Jose Maria Ambrosio Ezpeleta, Rear Adm. Anthony Orbe and Philippine coast guard commandant Adm. Ronnie Gavan. The US Navy said the meetings reinforced military-to-military ties ahead of the Balikatan 2026 exercise.

"Every day, our alliance grows in capability through our consistent operations together, which drive tangible gains in high-end readiness," Hannifin said. The four MCAs completed so far this year have strengthened combined effectiveness ahead of more complex, joint, multinational and multi-domain activities in Balikatan, he said.

The crew took part in cultural and community engagements in Manila. The Blue Ridge last visited the Philippines in 2024.

Unwavering US presence in Philippines

The port call came as the AFP publicly reaffirmed that the US military presence in the Philippines remained unchanged.

"Our alliance with the US continues to strengthen, and there has been no change in the level of support being provided," Rear Adm. Roy Vincent Trinidad, AFP spokesman for the West Philippine Sea, said March 13, according to the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

Trinidad pointed to ongoing defense coordination under the Mutual Defense Board-Security Engagement Board as evidence of an enduring partnership. Sites under the countries' Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement are Philippine military bases equipped for joint defense and humanitarian operations, "not to be used as staging areas for offensive operations," he said.

Philippine officials have cited the recently enacted Philippine Enhanced Resilience Act, which authorizes $2.5 billion in US security assistance over the next five years, as further evidence of Washington's commitment to the alliance.

US assets operating in the Philippines on a rotational basis include the Typhon mid-range capability missile system and the Navy-Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System.