Military News in or from the Philippines

[Karl Welteke]

Balikatan 2017 comes to closure with ceremony


By Staff Sgt. Peter Reft, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific

2017 May 19th

This headline, these images and part of the write-up is from this U.S. Marine Corps wep page:

www.marines.mil/News/News-Display/Article/1187173/balikatan-2017-comes-to-closure-with-ceremony/



Y948. Balikatan 2017 comes to closure with ceremony

Armed Forces of the Philippines Maj. Gen. Herminigildo Aquino, left, AFP Gen. Eduardo M. Año, the Honorable Ambassador Sung Y. Kim, Secretary Delfin N. Lorenzana, Under Secretary Ariel Y. Abadilla, AFP Lt. Gen. Oscar T. Lactao, and U.S. Marine Brig. Gen. Brian Cavanaugh stand “shoulder-to-shoulder” and shake hands during the Balikatan 2017 closing ceremony at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, May 19, 2017. Aquino is the Philippine assistance exercise director. Año is the Chief of Staff of the AFP. Kim is the U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines. Lorenzana is the Philippine Secretary of National Defense. Abadilla is the Philippine Undersecretary for Civilian Security and Consular Concerns. Lactao is the Philippine exercise director for Balikatan. Cavanaugh is the deputy commander of Marine Corps Forces, Pacific. Balikatan is an annual U.S.-Philippine bilateral military exercise focused on a variety of missions, including humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, counterterrorism, and other combined military operations.





Y949. Balikatan 2017 comes to closure with ceremony; by Staff Sgt. Peter Reft, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific. The images are bigger in the above URL!

[Karl Welteke]

Marawi Crisis



Z016. An ISIS-linked terrorist group in the southern Philippines is causing havoc.

The Marawi crisis, also known as the Marawi clash, the Marawi City siege, and the Battle of Marawi, is an ongoing armed conflict in Marawi, Lanao del Sur, that started on May 23, 2017 between Philippine government security forces and affiliated militants of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, including the Maute and Abu Sayyaf Salafi jihadist groups.

The above paragraph and image came from this Wikipedia URL:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marawi_crisis

Note 1 from Karl: For about 2 weeks now serious fighting is going on in this Mindanao province, many casualties, civilians suffering greatly and part of the city is being destroyed. The Philippine Army has its hand full. Marshal Law has been declared in Mindanao. President Duterte cut his visit to Moscow short because of this crisis. Just Google, there is plenty of news reporting about this battle.

Note 2 from Karl: This is the area where Captain John J. Pershing made a name for himself!



Z117. Here is just 1 news image; it came from this URL, the South China Morning Post:

www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/2096084/crisis-marawi-fears-2000-trapped-philippine-city-after

[Karl Welteke]

The Marawi Battle continues

I heard in the news today, so far they are talking about 100s of KIA soldiers and civilians victims.

Here is an, about 9 minute, You Tube video about the Battle from Vice News; a friend sent it to me. It was very fascinating to me:



These are three screen shots from the above video:



Z083. A city is getting destroyed! This is a screen shot about the Marawi Battle from the above video from Vice News on the You Tube channel.



Z084. The Enemy! This is a screen shot about the Marawi Battle from the above video from Vice News on the You Tube channel.



Z085. An aviation bomb is dropped! This is a screen shot about the Marawi Battle from the above video from Vice News on the You Tube channel

[Karl Welteke]

Captain Ronald Ravelo USN, CO of the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72)







Za031 Captain Ronald Ravelo, a son of a retired US Navy Chief from the Philippines, became the commander of the USS Abraham Lincoln a United States Navy’s largest aircraft carriers is now doing a major systems overhaul under the watchful eye of a history-making Filipino-American captain.

The above paragraph and the picture came from this URL below here..

dailyfilipino.altervista.org/first-time-history-us-navy-filipino-became-commander-us-navys-largest-aircraft-carrier/

If you Google this line: ”Captain Ronald Ravelo USN, CO of the USS Abraham Lincoln” you will see he is in the news at many places and you can read the interesting story of this Filipino-American family.

[Karl Welteke]

Update on Marawi

A friend wrote me this.


Remember the Philippines' war on ISIS on that southern island of Marawi? The place is now in "ruins after liberation from ISIS," Military Times reported Tuesday.

www.militarytimes.com/flashpoints/2017/12/04/philippine-commando-video-shows-marawi-in-ruins-after-liberation-from-isis/


Helping them return focus to Marawi: a new 9-minute hooah video produced for the Philippine commandos. Writes MTs: "Noticeably absent from the Philippine video are American advisers who were on the ground advising Philippine commandos. But, evidence of American material support can be seen throughout the video. The video shows Philippine forces equipped with an array of American weapons, including M4s, rifle optics, PEQ-2 laser designators, grenade launchers, machine guns, and Harris tactical radio systems."

[Karl Welteke]

MSC Ships celebrate Christmas in the Philippines 2017.

For many years now I have observed that every Christmas and New Year numerous white ships are in port in Subic Bay. I knew that they were Military Sealift Command (MSC) ships by their Stack markings. This time I took pictures and share them.




Za530. USNS Walter S. Diehl (T-AO-193), USNS Mary Sears (T-AGS 65) in Subic Dec. 2017


Two MSC Ships celebrate Christmas in the Philippines. The ships were in this order from right to left: USNS Walter S. Diehl (T-AO-193), USNS Mary Sears (T-AGS 65). There were a total of 4 MSC Ships celebrating Christmas in the Philippines. The ships were in this order from right to left all along the Alava Extension Wharf: USNS Walter S. Diehl (T-AO-193), USNS Mary Sears (T-AGS 65), USNS Henson (T-AGS 63), USNS Bowditch (T-AGS 62).




Za531. USNS Henson (T-AGS 63), USNS Bowditch (T-AGS 62) in Subic Dec. 2017

Two MSC Ships celebrate Christmas in the Philippines. The ships were in this order from right to left: USNS Henson (T-AGS 63), USNS Bowditch (T-AGS 62). There were a total of 4 MSC Ships celebrating Christmas in the Philippines. The ships were in this order from right to left all along the Alava Extension Wharf: USNS Walter S. Diehl (T-AO-193), USNS Mary Sears (T-AGS 65), USNS Henson (T-AGS 63), USNS Bowditch (T-AGS 62).




Za532. USNS Henson (T-AGS 63 from the internet.

From the internet, the USNS Henson (T-AGS 63. It is a Military Sealift Command (MSC) ship. They are managed by the US Navy and are manned by civilians.



Za533. USNS Walter S. Diehl (T-AO-19 from the internet.

From the internet, the USNS Walter S. Diehl (T-AO-193. It is a Military Sealift Command (MSC) ship. They are managed by the US Navy and are manned by civilians.


If you like to see all 19 images you can look at either one of the below albums:

Uploaded as an album to Facebook:
www.facebook.com/karlwilhelm.welteke/media_set?set=a.10212756669785296.1073741854.1643946293&type=3


Uploaded to Photobucket, SBFZ-ex Naval Base, SBFZ 2016-2019, MSC Ships:
s74.photobucket.com/user/PI-Sailor/library/SBFZ%20Ex%20Naval%20Base%20Subic%20Bay/SBFZ%202016%20to%202019/MSC%20Ships?sort=9&page=1&postlogin=true

[Karl Welteke]

Warships steam passed Corregidor, 2018-02-15

Spending some time on Corregidor with friends, I looked up and shouted: “A big warship is pulling into Manila Bay thru the North Channel”




Za599. USS Carl Vinson CVN-70 steaming passed Corregidor 2018-02-15.




Za600. USS Carl Vinson CVN-70 steaming passed Corregidor 2018-02-15, photo from Harald Klose.





Za601. USS Michael Murphy DDG-112 steaming passed Corregidor 2018-02-15, photo from Harald Klose.

The Philippine News Service, -inquirer.net- featured this article and printed the below comments:

globalnation.inquirer.net/164296/uss-carl-vinson-arrives-manila-port-visit-us-vessel-uss-carl-vinson-afp-nuclear-warship-uss-michael-murphy

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.

[Karl Welteke]

USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6 in Manila

MANILA, Philippines – The amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6), with embarked 3d Marine Division Marines, arrived in Manila, Philippines, for a scheduled port visit, Mar. 4.



Za650. USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6 is visiting Manila, photo from the USN.

Za650
180304-N-XK809-046
MANILA BAY (Mar. 4, 2018) The amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) transits into Manila, Philippines for a scheduled port visit. Bonhomme Richard is operating in the Indo-Pacific region as part of a regularly scheduled patrol and provides a rapid-response capability in the event of a regional contingency or natural disaster. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class William Sykes/Released)

This story/article came from this U.S. Embassy URL:

ph.usembassy.gov/bonhomme-richard-arrives-manila-port-call/



More than 2,500 Sailors and Marines aboard Bonhomme Richard are visiting Manila to enhance the strong ties between the Philippines and the U.S., and to experience the beautiful Philippine culture.

“The Sailors and Marines aboard Bonhomme Richard have worked hard over the past few weeks conducting exercises and underway operations,” said Capt. Larry McCullen, commanding officer of Bonhomme Richard. “Following exercise Cobra Gold, we’ve continued our shipboard training and patrol, and now we have the opportunity to experience liberty in Manila. I’m grateful for the chance to share the amazing culture of the Philippines with the crew during this port call.”

While in Manila, Sailors and Marines will have the opportunity to participate in Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) tours, and a community relations project where service members will get the chance to help those affected by the eruption of the Mayon Volcano in the province of Albay.

Mayon Volcano, which initially erupted in January, continues to be active and has displaced an estimated 90,000 people to safe zones. Service members will pack food and other supplies for the victims affected by the volcano.

“We chose this COMREL because it responds to a current natural disaster that is affecting thousands of Filipinos,” said Lt. David Hammond, Bonhomme Richard’s assistant command chaplain. “Although we’re unable to have personal interaction with the evacuees, we know that our work will reach them. We’re grateful for the invitation to play a small role in pitching in to help provide for others during a time of need.”

Bonhomme Richard’s port visit comes after the ship’s participation in the multinational exercise Cobra Gold in the Kingdom of Thailand.

As the 37th iteration of the exercise, Cobra Gold focused on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. Among participating nations were Indonesia, Japan, the Kingdom of Thailand, Malaysia, the Republic of Korea, Singapore and the United States.

Bonhomme Richard, part of Amphibious Squadron 11, is operating in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region as part of a regularly scheduled patrol and provides a rapid-response capability in the event of a regional contingency or natural disaster.

________________________________________
For more information about Bonhomme Richard visit our Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/ussbhr.

For more news from Commander, Amphibious Force, U.S. 7th Fleet, visit www.navy.mil/local/ctf76/.

[Karl Welteke]

44 BIFF members killed in Army attacks in Maguindanao


By: Edwin O. Fernandez - @inquirerdotnet
Inquirer Mindanao / 10:42 PM March 11, 2018




Za684. Datu Saudi Ampatuan -outlined in red- in Maguindano. Image from Inquirer.net.


Read more:

newsinfo.inquirer.net/974381/biff-casulaties-in-battle-with-army-maguindanao

[Karl Welteke]

76th Philippine Veterans Week April 5-11, 2018

Every year, for many years, the Philippines remember their veterans. This year I became more intensively aware of it.




Za824. 76th Philippine Veterans Week April 5-11, 2018, cover-page of the brochure.





Za825. 76th Philippine Veterans Week April 5-11, 2018, schedule of events





Za826. Tribute to all Filipino Heroes, front page of program schedule.

Za826. 76th Philippine Veterans Week April 5-11, 2018.





Za827. Tribute to all Filipino Heroes, the program schedule.

Za827. 76th Philippine Veterans Week April 5-11, 2018.





Za828. Tribute to all Filipino Heroes, the Honor Guard.





Za829. Tribute to all Filipino Heroes, the Honor Guard.





Za830. Tribute to all Filipino Heroes, a contingent of Valor Tours was on the island.





Za830. Tribute to all Filipino Heroes, Karl observed and participated.



Note 1 from Karl: The leadership of the Corregidor Foundation Inc. has changed! The new Chairperson is a Lady, Cynthia L. Carrion. Changes will happen, stand by!

Note 2 from Karl: At the Corregidor Inn breakfast and dinner is now served again at the restaurant section of the Inn. Lunch will be at the tent Topside as part of the day tour.