On 6/5, the decommissioned patrol vessel BRP Quezon served as a simulated enemy warship. It was anchored approximately 80 km off the coast of Luzon island, northern Philippines.
The exercise began with the US Army firing a GMLRS guided rocket to calibrate and pinpoint the target's location after about 15 minutes. Subsequently, US NMESIS and Philippine C-Star anti-ship missile launchers successively fired at the target. Japan's Type 88 system then launched two rounds, directly hitting the Quezon's hull.
This series of strikes quickly caused the Quezon to capsize and sink into the sea.
US HIMARS rocket artillery fired another round at the target coordinates. Philippine FA-50 light fighter jets and A-29 attack aircraft were scheduled to attack the BRP Quezon; however, this operation was suspended because the warship sank before the aircraft could launch.
During the exercise, US forces deployed the Marine Corps's integrated air defense system to protect the missile launch site from suicide drones (UAVs) and other threats. The US military also deployed P-8A maritime patrol aircraft and MQ-9 armed UAVs to participate.
This exercise was part of the annual Balikatan exercise. This year's event took place from 20/4 to 8/5, with participation from the US, Philippines, Australia, and Japan.
The BRP Quezon patrol vessel was originally the USS Vigilance, an Auk-class minesweeper. The US launched it in 4/1943, commissioned it in 2/1944, and decommissioned it three years later. In 1967, the US transferred the USS Vigilance to the Philippines, where it was renamed and reclassified as a small frigate. It operated until 3/2021 before its final decommissioning.
The Quezon had a full-load displacement of 1,250 tons, a maximum speed of 37 km/h, and a range of 8,000 km. Its armament included two 76 mm cannons, two twin 40 mm Bofors cannons, two twin 20 mm Oerlikon cannons, and four 12.7 mm machine guns.
Nguyen Tien (According to War Zone, AFP, AP)
