Speaking at a news conference in Manila with his Filipino counterpart, Carter said the first South China Sea joint patrol was carried out in March and the second was completed in early April this year (2016).


The Philippines is now the second country, behind Japan, with which U.S. forces have conducted joint patrols in the controversial sea, according to a defense official.


The announcement comes as China continues to act aggressively over disputed territories in the South China Sea.


China has created some 1,200 hectares of artificial islands atop reefs in the disputed Spratly Islands, a group of islands, reefs and cays near the Philippines that are claimed by Beijing, Manila and others.

<h3>
Rotational forces
</h3>

Carter said hundreds of U.S. troops and about 10 aircraft will remain in the archipelago immediately after annual joint Balikatan exercises conclude on Friday.


About 200 U.S. airmen from multiple Pacific Air Forces units are being deployed with three HH-60G Pave Hawks, five A-10C Thunderbolt IIs and an MC-130H Combat Talon II to Clark Air Base on Luzon island through the end of the month.


In addition, up to 75 U.S. military personnel will stay at Camp Aguinaldo, just east of Manila, to work on interoperability between the two militaries and enhance joint command and control capabilities.


A defense official said the forces at Camp Aguinaldo would be primarily Marines.


These rotational forces will have "routine follow-ons" by other U.S. troops, according to a senior defense official. The follow-ons will be “regular, but not continuous,” the official said.


Other types of aircraft also could be deployed for a rotation in the archipelago in the future, another defense official said.

<h3>
ISR, maritime awareness
</h3>

Carter announced several U.S. military investments as part of the Southeast Asia Maritime Security Initiative that are focusing on maritime domain awareness and intelligence, reconnaissance and surveillance.


The United States will provide the Philippines with an aerostat reconnaissance blimp and outfit a Philippine Navy patrol vessel with upgraded sensors to survey surrounding waters.


It also will help modernize the Philippines National Coast Watch Center and enhance a joint information network to allow the sharing of classified communications between U.S. Pacific command, based in Hawaii, and key Philippines maritime command centers.


“This will be an important boost for Philippine maritime domain awareness and their ability to see what’s happening out there past their coasts,” a senior defense official said.


The Philippines is receiving about 80 percent of the $50 million allotted for the Maritime Security Initiative's first year, according to a senior defense official.


The five-year, $425 million program is aimed at assisting Southeast Asian nations in improving their naval and coast guard capabilities.



Source: 
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<li>
US Announces Joint Patrols With Philippines in South China Sea, <a href="http://www.voanews.com/content/us-announces-joint-patrols-with-philippines/3285277.html" class="news_link" target="_blank" title="VOA">VOA News, April 14, 2016</a>
</li>
<li>
Photo credit: Rueters via VOA News 
</li>
</ol>

US Announces Joint Patrols With Philippines in West Philippine Sea