3 more US ships arrive at Subic for Philippine, US military exercises

USNS Washington Chambers (T-AKE-11) docks at the Alava Pier inside the Subic Bay Freeport for a routine port call. Three more US ships- USNS Millinocket (T-EPF-3), USNS Bowditch (T-AGS 62) and USS Frank Cable (AS-40) – are in Subic Bay ahead of the scheduled military exercise called Philippines Amphibious Landing Exercise (Phiblex 33). between American and Filipino troops. (PHOTO BY ALLAN MACATUNO/ INQUIRER CENTRAL LUZON)

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT —  Three United States vessels arrived in Subic Bay on Monday (Sept. 26) for a routine port visit ahead of the scheduled military exercise between American and Filipino troops.

USNS Washington Chambers (T-AKE-11), USNS Millinocket (T-EPF-3), and USNS Bowditch (T-AGS 62) docked at the Alava Pier here at 9 a.m.

The three ships joined another US vessel, USS Frank Cable (AS-40), which arrived at this free port on Sept. 10, officials of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, said.

According to the US Embassy in Manila in a statement on Sept. 24, a total of 1,400 U.S. service members based in Okinawa, Japan and 500 Philippine Armed Forces personnel will participate in the annual bilateral war games called the Philippines Amphibious Landing Exercise (Phiblex 33).

Phiblex is a ship-to-shore exercise between the two ally countries and is slated to take place from Oct. 4 to October 12 in various locations in Luzon.

The US and Filipino troops would be “working side-by-side to grow capabilities and better prepare to operate together during a natural disaster or armed conflict,” the embassy said in a statement.
Subic Bay serves as a drop-off point for US troops participating in various war games between the US and Philippine troops.

Among the US vessels participating in the war exercise are USS BHR (LHD-6), the USS Green Bay (LPD-20), and the USS Germantown (LSD-48).

The Philippines will also send its new Strategic Sealift Vessel, the BRP Tarlac, for the training.  SFM

USS Frank Cable.USS Frank Cable (AS-40) is at the Alava Pier inside the Subic Bay Freeport for a routine port call. It arrived in the country last Sept. 10., Three more US ships- USNS Millinocket (T-EPF-3), USNS Bowditch (T-AGS 62) and USNS Washington Chambers – arrived in Subic Bay, on Sept. 26, 2016, ahead of the scheduled military exercise called Philippines Amphibious Landing Exercise (Phiblex 33) between American and Filipino troops. (PHOTO BY ALLAN MACATUNO/ INQUIRER CENTRAL LUZON)