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Post by darthdract on Oct 28, 2016 17:44:19 GMT 8
NO PHIL-US JOINT PATROLS IN THE SOUTH CHINA SEA This was a newspaper headline early in Oct. 2016. If you follow the news you should be aware of that; the new Philippine President wants to change the military relationship with United States. If you are interested in this subject you need to read the news.  V323. This is the Guided-Missile Destroyer USS Chung-Hoon (DDG-93 along Alawa Extension Wharf in Subic Bay on the 22nd of May 2016. The ship is part of the John C. Stennis Strike Group that is patrolling the West Philippine Sea. This ship was photographed by my daughter Manilyn (aka Karla) Welteke but I seen it only today and that is why I posted it today. I just want to get it out of the open first I don't agree on the Ph. President in so many issues lets just say he is a big big fan of Mao,and Pol Pot and Stalin. I was really having an itchy finger this past few weeks in posting that issue here but I don't want to turn this into a political discussion thread. I am also on the opinion that it is really getting more and more dangerous to speak out against the President. What is happening to our Country Karl? |
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Post by Karl Welteke on Oct 29, 2016 8:51:57 GMT 8
Hello darthdract, I agree with you 100% with your statement that we don’t want to make these threads or this board a political discussion forum.
This forum is dedicated to history; let’s leave current political events and discussions to the news services.
In this particular thread it is my intention to post only military facts and happenings! So far only one thing has happened, the Philippine Military are not participating with the Joint Patrols in the South China Seas. Everything else is on a go status for right now. I just read that a large group of US Service Men had a normal rotation in the Mindanao anti terrorism camp there; just a few days ago.
Heated discussions about the present Philippine-US relationship may or could have repercussions on the many Americans who are permanently residing here or even visitors!!!
____________________
For those who might have missed it, well, you've missed it. It's no longer on our board. I DO want to thank all those people involved, though, even the originator of the post, for their fine attitudes, opinions and support.
Until now, we've not really had a policy concerning these things, and Karl's statement is (in my view) the closest and most accurate summary of the way that this board should be run. So I am essentially paraphrasing him. We're a facts-based board, not a place for current affairs political punditry. Commentary about historic matters is fine, for that's essentially what history books are. If it's current affairs, be careful confine it to military facts and happenings, and leave the speculative punditry at home, wherever your home might be. We want to encourage people to be able to come to us for the facts of history. Yes, there are always aspects of current affairs which might be troubling to us, particularly so for expats and visitors, but this board is an escape from them into the past, a time machine that doesn't require us to accelerate to 88 mph. Drive elsewhere, and always drive safely.
I talked myself into a speeding ticket last week. The cop tapped on the window of my DeLorean and very reasonably asked why I was doing 88 mph in a school zone. "I was trying to get back to 1956, sir."
exo
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Post by Karl Welteke on Oct 30, 2016 10:07:45 GMT 8
U.S. and Philippine Marines on exercise SOUTH CHINA SEA (Oct. 8, 2015)  V331a. US Pacific Fleet Photo # 151008-N-SU278-025 SOUTH CHINA SEA (Oct. 8, 2015) U.S. and Philippine Marines discuss exercise tactics aboard the amphibious dock landing ship USS Germantown (LSD 42) during Amphibious Landing Exercise 2015 (PHIBLEX 15). PHIBLEX 15 is an annual, bilateral training exercise conducted by U.S. Marine and Navy forces with the Amphibious Forces of the Philippines in order to strengthen interoperability and working relationships across the range of military operations- from disaster relief, to complex expeditionary operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Will Gaskill/Released) The above photo and text came from this US Pacific Fleet Flickr account: www.flickr.com/photos/compacflt/22044730662/in/photostream/ |
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Post by cbuehler on Oct 30, 2016 23:24:45 GMT 8
I have always appreciated this thread as it is a living link to the past. Just how much longer it will continue is something we cannot know at this time.
For the small stuff: strange the the USMC is wearing desert Marpat utilities. One even sees these in wear stateside on Marine bases. I see the Phil. Marines are now completely outfitted in their own digital camo utilities.
CB
CB, I appreciate this thread too, and I am supporting Karl's view of it, as he's been its prime contributor. So long as the emphasis is on fact and it stays away from speculative international politics, it'll be fine. After all, when we take a break during our busy days, we come here for information, not polemics, and we want to be able to enjoy our respite.
exo
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Post by Karl Welteke on Nov 18, 2016 14:18:45 GMT 8
USS Comstock arrives in Subic Bay, 16th Nov. 2016 Text and picture is from this web page: subicnewslink.blogspot.com/2016/11/uss-comstock-arrives-in-subic-bay.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+SubicBayNewslink+%28SUBIC+BAY+NEWSLINK%29 V388. Photo credit: The US Navy ship USS Comstock (LSD-45), a Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship, docked at the Alava pier of Subic Bay Freeport in Zambales province for a replenishment port call Wednesday (Nov. 16) afternoon as joint US and Philippine special operations forces begins its annual combat exercise dubbed “Balance Piston” in the western province of Palawan. (AMD/MPD-SBMA) USS Comstock (LSD 45) with embarked Marines of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, docked in Subic Bay Thursday (Nov. 17) to provide the crew and Marines an opportunity to rest and recuperate after nearly a month and a half at sea. Subic Bay marks the second port visit for the Comstock after departing Naval Station San Diego on October 14. Several Filipino-American Sailors and Marines will also spend time with their families and experience the local culture while learning about their own heritage. "I am very proud that my first port visit as the Commanding Officer of the Comstock was to my birthplace, Guam, and I'm even more honored that our next port visit will be to the country where my mother and father were born - the Philippines,” said Comstock Commanding Officer Cmdr. Gervy Alota. “It will be a fantastic opportunity for my crew to enjoy and learn about the history and culture of the Philippines and to strengthen the already close ties between our two nations. I look forward to reuniting with my family and forming new friendships with the people of Subic Bay." The Comstock and embarked 11th MEU, part of the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group, have been conducting training together for nearly a month and a half at sea. Comstock and other ships of the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group are currently on a routine patrol in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations in support of security and stability in the region. The Comstock is based out of Naval Station San Diego, Calif. The 11th MEU is based out of Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif. (U.S. Embassy, Manila) Note from Karl: Karl is a former proud Sailor of LSD-2 USS Belle Grove, Pacific Fleet (1960-64) and LSD 30 USS Fort Snelling, Atlantic Fleet(1964-66). Uss Belle Grove introduced me to the Philippines in 1962 and I landed on the spot where the Photographer took the above picture which was the Enlisted Men boat landing! Today on the 18th Nov. 2016 another big ship is in the Subic Bay Port, an MSC (Military Sealift Command) oiler; it is moored forward of the USS Comstock, along the same pier. |
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Post by Karl Welteke on Dec 20, 2016 20:01:56 GMT 8
Problem in the South China Sea not too far from Subic Bay  V469. Red China seized an unmanned US naval probe in international waters in the South China Sea from the USNS Bowditch. News said it was about 50 miles off the Luzon Shore and it happened about 3 days ago! This is an undated U.S. Naval image of the ship. There is tons of info in the www, even President elect Donald Trump tweeted in about it! |
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Post by Karl Welteke on Jan 4, 2017 16:22:01 GMT 8
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Post by Karl Welteke on Jan 14, 2017 10:14:57 GMT 8
Chinese Aircraft Carrier Group in South China Sea is Testing New Weapons The above headline and the below picture came from this URL, the Sputnik News Service. It is dated 4th of Jan. 2017. sputniknews.com/asia/201701041049268995-china-testing-south-china-sea/ V556. Chinese aircraft carrier, the Liaoning from Sputnik News This event was widely covered by most international news services! |
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Post by beirutvet on Jan 15, 2017 3:26:48 GMT 8
Karl
I suppose their could be worse news,,,,,,, but I would have to think about it to come up with some.
First we see the Philippine government cozy up to the Russians and suddenly there is a Russian destroyer paying a port call in Manila. Then nothing new about the Chinese trying to take over the South China Sea, but now testing new weapons.
Our new administration certainly has it's work cut out for them.
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Post by Karl Welteke on Jan 24, 2017 14:23:50 GMT 8
Unexploded 500-pound World War II bomb found in Surigao Jan. 2017  V579. Philippine Army EOD around a WWII bomb in Surigao, Jan. 2017 The above photo and below paragraph came from Nards Go on Facebook and here is the URL to his Facebook Page album with about 12 images. I hope you will be able to open it. www.facebook.com/nards.go/media_set?set=a.10210113100616768.1073742105.1615429054&type=3He seems to be member of the City Disaster Risk Reduction & Management Office in Surigao City The vintage bomb (M64) has finally and safely been disposed (detonated) of yesterday Jan 21 2017, at 1:30 PM and we are all grateful that nothing untoward happened, so it's about time we give credit to the guys who did a good job, in preventing from turning the event into a bloody disaster, the unsung heroes, who due to the nature of their work, and more importantly, skills, must live a life behind the shadows, all the more reason for all to give our thanks, so to the Army EOD's in particular who helped in disposing the vintage Bomb, and ALL EOD's no matter what service in General, who have helped keep Surigao safe these past times..I Salute you..MGA BLASTER,- THESE ONES' FOR YOU.. Note from Karl: A retired Army fellow, who lives down there in Surigao sent me a notification about this, he used to live here in Olongapo City. |
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