USS Carl Vinson arrives in Manila for port visit

A video grab of the USS Carl Vinson on patrol

The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson, which has been doing routine missions in the disputed South China Sea, is in Manila for a port visit, together with guided-missile destroyer USS Michael Murphy.

“We are just very thankful for the support we have from the Philippine government and the Philippine people,” said Rear Adm. John Fuller, commander of the Carl Vinson Strike Group in a statement on Friday.

“We have a longstanding relationship and we want to continue to build on that,” he said.

More than 5,500 sailors from the two vessels are expected to visit local attractions and participate in the community service projects while in Manila. Both vessels arrived on Friday.

“The strike group is operating in the Indo-Pacific region to work with partners and allies, promote freedom of the seas, and enhance regional security,” Carl Vinson Public Affairs said in a statement.

The strike group is based in San Diego and Michael Murphy operates from Hawaii.

Before its arrival in Manila, the US aircraft carrier hosted Philippine government and military officials for an at-sea tour somewhere in the South China Sea last Wednesday. /jpv