Aug 032013
 

PHLs new warship sails along Aurora coast

PHL’s new warship sails along Aurora coast . The BRP Ramon Alcaraz sails off the coast of Aurora province on Friday, August 2, after it entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Thursday. Filipino fishermen greeted the crew as it journeyed for Subic Bay. The 115-meter Hamilton-class cutter of the Philippine Navy is expected to be welcomed by President Benigno Aquino II on August 4. Ronald Leander

The BRP Ramon Alcaraz, the Philippine Navy’s second warship, is now anchored at Subic Bay after a two-month journey from the United States, the Philippine Navy said Sunday.

In a radio interview, Philippine Navy spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Gregory Fabic said the ship docked at about 7 a.m. Sunday.

“Nakaankla ang Alcaraz sa Subic Bay, nag-a-undergo siya ng quarantine Immigration and Customs procedures,” he said in an interview on dzBB radio.

He said the vessel’s crew members, which include 14 officers under Capt. Ernesto Baldovino and 74 enlisted personnel, are in high spirits.

Fabic said the vessel’s crew are excited to meet their loved ones in the Philippines again.

“Sa ngayon high morale sila (crew members) after nakarating ng Pilipinas after almost dalawang buwan ng paglalayag mula US…,”  he said.

The BRP Alcaraz will be formally welcomed Tuesday in ceremonies led by President Benigno Aquino. — LBG, GMA News

Jul 292013
 

MANILA (Mabuhay) – President Benigno Aquino III will head government and military officials during welcoming ceremonies for the BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PF-16) upon its arrival at Subic Bay on Aug. 6. “We will be having a meeting with the Presidential Management Staff regarding this (welcoming ceremonies) as President Aquino will be our guest of honor,” […]

Jun 062013
 
2 US submarines docking in Subic for refuelling

By Frances Mangosing 6:03 pm | Thursday, June 6th, 2013 MANILA, Philippines – Two US Navy vessels are docking in Subic Bay this weekend for routine port calls, the US Embassy said Thursday. The US Navy submarine tender USS Frank Cable (AS 40) and submarine USS Asheville (SSN 758) will be in Subic Bay on Friday, June 7, and Saturday, June 8, respectively, to refuel and receive supplies. The L.Y. Spear-class USS Frank Cable, which was commissioned in 1980, is nearly 200 meters long and has a crew of 1,500. The Frank Cable serves as the US 7th Fleet’s mobile repair and support platform.  It is homeported in Guam. Commissioned in 1991, the USS Asheville is a Los Angeles-class submarine that is 91 meters long, and has a top speed of 32 knots underwater. It is homeported in San Diego, California. Follow Us Recent Stories: Complete stories on our Digital Edition newsstand for tablets, netbooks and mobile phones; 14-issue free trial. About to step out? Get breaking alerts on your mobile.phone. Text ON INQ BREAKING to 4467, for Globe, Smart and Sun subscribers in the Philippines. Tags: Features , Global Nation , Subic , US military , US submarines , VFA Factual errors? Contact the Philippine Daily Inquirer’s day desk. Believe this article violates journalistic ethics? Contact the Inquirer’s Reader’s Advocate. Or write The Readers’ Advocate:

Feb 042013
 
Another US warship to visit PHL

A United States Navy guided missile destroyer will arrive in Subic Bay in Zambales on Tuesday for a routine port visit, the American embassy said Monday. The USS Stockdale (DDG-106), the third US vessel to visit the Philippines since January, will replenish supplies as well as offer its crew an opportunity for rest and relaxation, the embassy said in a statement. The Stockdale’s routine port call and goodwill visit at Subic Bay — once one of the largest US military installations in the world outside of the American mainland — “is a great opportunity to continue the long-term relationship between the Philippines and the United States,” said ship commanding officer Cdr. Lex Walker. This will be the Stockdale’s first visit to the Philippines. The visit is part of the ship’s nine-month deployment to the Western Pacific that began in January 2013. During the visit, Stockdale sailors will also engage in a number of community relations projects including visits to local orphanages, the embassy said. The USS Stockdale was commissioned on April 18, 2009, and is homeported in San Diego, California. It is named for Vice Admiral James B. Stockdale, who was the highest ranking US naval officer to be held as a Prisoner of War in Vietnam. Walker also spoke about the diversity of his crew. “We have quite a few Filipino –American Sailors among our crew, and I hope that the citizens of the Philippines can look at our ship and see that their people and their culture are Read More …