Sangley Point, Cavite City – The Philippine Fleet (PF) received on 29-June-2022 the visiting representative from the US Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command (NMOC), U.S. Indo-Pacific Command 3rd /7th Fleet, Dr. John Edward Murray Brown at its headquarters at Naval Base Heracleo Alano.

Dr. Brown paid a courtesy call on PF Commander, RAdm Nichols Driz at the headquarter’s wardroom. He then proceeded to visit the Fleet’s Naval Meteorological and Oceanographic Center (NAVMETOC).

The visit came on the heels of the 31st RP-US Hydrographic Survey Working Group meeting held from June 20 to 21 at Bonifacio Naval Station, Taguig City. The result of this meeting was among the agenda discussed during the visit of Dr. Brown to NAVMETOC.

As a background, the said working group was established under the Security Engagement Board (SEB) Interagency Committee and mandated to ensure that survey activities are properly coordinated through SEB process, via the SEB Interagency Committee (Philippine Navy – PN, US-Naval Meteorological and Oceanographic Center – NMOC, and National Mapping and Resource Information Authority – NAMRIA) to be handled by PN and U.S.-NMOC as office with coordinating responsibility. Survey activities are conducted mainly for the safety of navigation of naval assets participating in USN and PN military exercises in Philippine waters. The CHSWG activities are approved under the Mutual Defense Treaty between U.S. and the Philippines and the Mutual Defense Board – Security Engagement Board established in 1958 and 2006 respectively.

The visit of Dr. Brown serves as an avenue to discuss cooperation in future hydrographic surveys, oceanography, and meteorology efforts to support the maritime security thrusts of both navies.