TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The US military is active in waters near the Philippines, with multiple naval exercises to take place in early February.

In support of a free and open Indo-Pacific, naval and air force units from Australia, Japan, and the Philippines conducted a Multilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity with US forces on Feb. 5. 

A separate multi-large deck event hosted by the French Navy will begin on Feb. 8, with the USS Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group and the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force joining the French for exercises in the Philippine Sea. 

A press release from the US Indo-Pacific Command said the exercises underscore a shared commitment to uphold freedom of navigation under international law. 

The USS Carl Vinson strike group includes the cruiser USS Princeton, and two destroyers, the USS Sterett and the USS William P. Lawrence, while the JS Kaga, a Japanese helicopter carrier, will represent the Japanese. The event will also involve air force exercises, with aircraft deployed from the three large deck naval carriers. 

Rear Admiral Michael Wosje, commander of the US carrier strike group, was quoted in a press release as saying: “Coordinated operations between USS Carl Vinson, FS Charles De Gaulle, and JS Kaga strengthen our alliances and deter our adversaries. Together, we seek to maintain an open and inclusive Indo-Pacific, free of all forms of coercion, and we’re excited to work alongside our allies and partners who share that vision.”