Combat Air Crew Nine, CAC-9, from Patrol Squadron 40 recently participated in the 20th Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training, an annual exercise between the United States and the Philippine Navy.

Accompanying them was one of VP-40’s P-3C anti-submarine aircraft and a maintenance crew. VP-40 is currently on deployment in the 7th Fleet Area of Responsibility.

Led by Mission Commander, Lt. Cmdr. Matthew McKerring, CAC-9 provided support and training to several elements of both U.S. and Philippine forces. On the ground, CAC-9 met with pilots of a Philippine twin-engine BN-2 Islander aircraft and AW-109 helicopters, providing briefs and training on subjects ranging from crew resource management skills to search and rescue (SAR) tactics. In the air, the crew provided real world training on maritime surveillance for the Islander crew and SAR
training to the AW-109 crew.

Later on in the detachment, CAC-9 trained with the USS John S. McCain (DDG-56), participating in detect to engage training, along with testing the Arleigh-Burke class destroyer’s weapons and radar systems. McKerring expressed gratitude on behalf of his crew for the opportunity to operate and train with the Philippine Navy and the USS John S. McCain.

“It was an honor and a privilege to work with such dedicated professionals on this detachment, especially with a valued ally of our nation,” said McKerring. “We all had a fabulous time and really enjoyed swapping stories with our counterparts.”

CAC-9 also met with the local community, providing a tour of their aircraft to a company of local Subic Bay firefighters. They also gave a tour and interviews to several Philippine media outlets, including reporters Lorenzo Ongkiko of the nationwide TV5 network and Ernesto Esconde of The Manila Times, further strengthening the communal ties between the U.S. and one of its strongest allies in the Pacific.