Military News in or from the Philippines

[Karl Welteke]

Philippines' Duterte fully restores key U.S. troop pact


Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has restored the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) after meeting U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in Manila on Thursday, 29th July 2021.

News article from Reuters.com:
www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/us-aims-shore-up-philippine-ties-troop-pact-future-lingers-2021-07-29/

Here are three images copied from the above news article:



Zf195. Image from the Reuters news article that Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has restored the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) after meeting U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in Manila on Thursday, 29th July 2021.Robinson Ninal/Malacanang Presidential Photographers Division/Handout via Reuters. Image of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte and U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.



Zf196. Image from the Reuters news article that Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has restored the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) after meeting U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in Manila on Thursday, 29th July 2021.Robinson Ninal/Malacanang Presidential Photographers Division/Handout via Reuters. Image of Philippine Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin



Zf197. Image from the Reuters news article that Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has restored the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) after meeting U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin in Manila on Thursday, 29th July 2021.Robinson Ninal/Malacanang Presidential Photographers Division/Handout via Reuters. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff General Cirilito Sobejana ®.

[beirutvet]

Karl

Great news, indeed!  And considering what the Chi-coms are doing, not a minute too soon for the Philippines.

[Karl Welteke]

VA was HONORED TO HOST SECRETARY OF DEFENSE LLOYD AUSTIN


The VA Manila Clinic News email presented this on the 30th July 2021:




Zf198. Secretary Austin and members of his senior leadership team toured the VA Clinic in Manila today.


It was truly my honor to welcome United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin to the VA Manila Outpatient Clinic today. Secretary Austin and members of his senior leadership team toured the Clinic today and had an opportunity to speak to Veterans attending clinic appointments and receiving their COVID-19 vaccines. Secretary Austin visited the Philippines for the first time as Defense Secretary to reaffirm the strong and enduring U.S.-Philippine alliance as the two sides celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations and the 70th anniversary of the Mutual Defense Treaty. During his Southeast Asian trip, he also visited Singapore and Vietnam.


VA partnered with the Department of Defense to assist with transporting our last shipment of Johnson and Johnson vaccine to the Philippines, and I was very glad to personally express my gratitude to DOD for their support. VA Manila also relies heavily on the Military Postal System to receive regular shipments of medical supplies and medications from our vendors in the United States through our Fleet Post Office box. It was nice to share a bit of our operational history and about VA’s only overseas healthcare facility.


The visit was very successful, and he mentioned that he would take the feedback he received from Veterans to VA Secretary McDonough when he returns to the US at the conclusion of his trip.

[westernaus]

That's fantastic that the US has reaffirmed it's Mutual Defense Policy . The Philippines simply couldn't go it alone if a Big Bully came into the picture .

The Philippines is in the process of trying to clean up their cities , particualy around Manila and adjoining cities and their slums . Manila BAYWALK ROXAS BOULEVADE has been getting a new face , with crushed Dolamite Rock being used as white sand , from the start alongside the US Embassy , to about 3 clicks south and then they are using gray sand from there on . The only problem is due to these recent storms over the last week the sand is full of garbage and is requiring a extensive clean up ..

You can check all this out on YOUTUBE . Such as ( 1) Manila Bay Update .(2) Manila Street Clearing Operation .

Thanks Karl for your defense update . And may we all meet on the Rock one day soon .

[Karl Welteke]

7th Fleet ship visits the Philippines

Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18) arrived in the Philippines, Aug. 16, marking the first time a commissioned U.S. Navy warship has visited the Philippines since 2019.



Zf240. File Photo of the Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18). 180718-N-N0101-999GULF OF MEXICO (July 18, 2018) The future littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18) is underway for acceptance trials, which are the last significant milestone before delivery of the ship to the Navy. The Independence-variant littoral combat ship will be commissioned March 2 in Charleston, South Carolina. (U.S. Navy photo courtesy of Austal USA/Released)

The Commander of the Pacific Fleet (CINCPACFLEET) reports USS Charleston LCS 18 arrives in Manila on the 16th Aug. 2021. Here is the URL, click here: The below story and the three images came from this URL:
www.cpf.navy.mil/news.aspx/130903





Zf241. MANILA, Philippines (Aug. 16, 2021) Command Senior Chief Donald Alvarado, from Tucson, Ariz., watches as Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18) pulls into port, Aug. 16. Charleston, part of Destroyer Squadron Seven, is on a rotational deployment operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operation to enhance interoperability with partners and serve as a ready-response force in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Adam Butler)



Zf242. MANILA, Philippines (Aug. 17, 2021) Sailors assigned to Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18) take on supplies during a stores onload as a part of a contactless port visit to Manila, Aug. 17. Charleston, part of Destroyer Squadron Seven, is on a rotational deployment operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operation to enhance interoperability with partners and serve as a ready-response force in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Adam Butler)



Zf243. Culinary Specialist 3rd Class Matthew Deluca raises the American flag after USS Charleston's (LCS 18) arrival in Manila. (U.S. Navy/MC2 Adam Butler), first time a commissioned U.S. Navy warship has visited the Philippines since 2019,


7th Fleet ship visits the Philippines
By Lt. Lauren Chatmas, DESRON 7
Posted August 17, 2021

MANILA, Philippines - Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Charleston (LCS 18) arrived in the Philippines, Aug. 16, marking the first time a commissioned U.S. Navy warship has visited the Philippines since 2019.

The visit highlights the strong alliance, military relationship and renewed engagements between the Philippines and the United States.
In consideration for COVID-19 safety mitigation, the visit was contactless, meaning the crew of the ship remained aboard the ships, where they were afforded rest and replenishment of supplies.

The visits come weeks after Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin’s engagement with Philippine defense officials, when the re-commitment was announced to the U.S.-Philippines Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), which allows U.S. forces to operate from the Philippines for bilateral military engagements and in response to disasters or crisis.

“The U.S. security commitment to the Philippines is iron-clad, and that commitment…extends to the South China Sea,” said Austin. “As we celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Mutual Defense Treaty this year, the commitment to our security partnership with the Philippines is stronger than ever.”

The routine port visit is a continuation of the relationship as treaty allies, and furthers the friendship, partnership and alliance between the U.S. and the Philippines. The U.S. routinely participates in 300 bilateral engagements a year, from expert exchanges to ship visits, to component exercises and major training exercises such as Balikatan, Southeast Asia Cooperation and Training (SEACAT), and Maritime Training Activity (MTA) Sama Sama. These exercises signify joint commitment to peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region.

“Our U.S. Navy ships’ presence at sea and in ports like Manila promote security and stability that drives the peace and prosperity for the benefit of regional countries,” said Vice Adm. Karl Thomas, commander, U.S. 7th Fleet. “We appreciate the flexibility to resupply our ships in the Philippines, so that they are ready to support a free and open Indo-Pacific region.”

Charleston is on a rotational deployment from San Diego, under Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7, supporting Commander, Task Force (CTF) 76/Expeditionary Strike Group 7.

Under Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy's largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely interacts and operates with 35 maritime nations in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region.

[Karl Welteke]

A U.S. Coast Guard ship in the Philippines, 31 Aug. 2021.


Yesterday, the 3rd Sep. I read in the Philippine Star news paper that the USCG Cutter Munro WMSL-755 operated with Philippine Coast Guard ships in a joint maritime exercise in the waters off Subic Bay.




Zf262. A 7th Fleet picture of Philippine and U.S. Coast Guard men in discussion on the USCG Ship Munro 31 Aug. 2021.




Zf263. A 7th Fleet picture of the U.S. Coast Guard men on the USCG Ship Munro saluting a Philippine Coast Guard Unit on the 31st of Aug. 2021.


I searched the www and found this headline and URL right away.
Note from Karl: In the 7th Fleet pictures above and the article below the US Authorities are using the term:”West Philippine Sea”.


NEWS | Sept. 1, 2021
U.S. Coast Guard concludes training with Philippine maritime agencies
By Courtesy Story from U.S. Coast Guard Public Affairs

ALAMEDA, Calif. –

The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Munro (WMSL 755) arrived in Subic Bay, Philippines, Tuesday following operations and exercises in the West Philippine Sea with the Philippine Coast Guard and the Philippine Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources.


www.c7f.navy.mil/Media/News/Display/Article/2762287/us-coast-guard-concludes-training-with-philippine-maritime-agencies/



Further searching and I found this article from the U. S. Naval Institute:

I chose to copy these two images and a few articles from the lengthy article below:

U.S. Coast Guard Continues to Expand Presence in the Western Pacific
By: Dzirhan Mahadzir
September 3, 2021 5:14 PM

news.usni.org/2021/09/03/u-s-coast-guard-continues-to-expand-pressence-in-the-western-pacific

KUALA LUMPUR – The U.S. Coast Guard’s status as a military service coupled with its law enforcement roles allows it to effectively contribute to both the military and maritime law enforcement requirements of the Indo-Pacific region, according to the commander of U.S. Coast Guard units operating in the region.

As a military service of the United States, the Coast Guard can integrate seamlessly into defense operations alongside the U.S. Navy and other U.S. military services, and is fully interoperable with U.S. allies, Vice Admiral Michael McAllister, Commander Pacific Area and Commander, Coast Guard Defense Force West, said in a Sept. 3 media call.

Munro participated in at-sea engagements with the Philippines on Aug. 31 in the West Philippine Sea, where it carried out bilateral operations, professional exchanges, search-and-rescue and communications exercises, small boat operations, multi-vessel maneuvering, and maritime domain awareness drills.

McAllister downplayed the exercise location, which was near the disputed Scarborough Shoal, stating that it was not intended to send a message to China. He added that one of the elements the Coast Guard is working on is capacity and capability building for the Philippine Coast Guard and maritime enforcement agencies to conduct sustained operations in waters beyond their littorals.

“And so, I’m not going to say that activity near the Scarborough Shoals was necessarily intended to send a message; but when you think about the Philippines’ claim for their waters, that opportunity to get them out further from shore, do maritime awareness, and – when appropriate – enforce laws and treaties within their Exclusive Economic Zone, it simply requires that we get them further from shore,” McAlliser said.

He also noted the U.S. Coast Guard does cooperate with China on areas of mutual interest between the two countries, though there is not much cooperative activity in the South China Sea. But both countries continue to cooperate in the North Pacific, specifically as it relates to high seas fishing and the enforcement of various treaties and conventions for which both the U.S. and China are signatories.



Zf264. A Japanese JMSDF image of a Japanese supply ship replenishing the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Munro (WMSL 755).


Zf265. This is a Navy picture of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Munro (WMSL 755) is conducting helicopter operation during the exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC).

[Karl Welteke]

Multiple allied carrier strike groups operate together in 7th Fleet
08 October 2021

From Task Force 70 Public Affairs

The Ronald Reagan and Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Groups joined with JMSDF's JS Ise and U.K.'s CSG-21 led by HMS Queen Elizabeth.


Here is the URL and 2 pictures:

Click here for the URL

www.cpf.navy.mil/




Zf321. Cpf 1. 211003-N-DW158-1260
USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), HMS Queen Elizabeth (R 08), and JS Ise (DDH 182) lead a formation during multiple carrier strike group operations, Oct. 3. (U.S. Navy/MC3 Gray Gibson)

VIRIN: 211003-N-DW158-1270.JPG
Photo by: Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Gray Gibson

More detailed information from another site:
PHILIPPINE SEA (Oct. 3, 2021) The United Kingdom’s carrier strike group led by HMS Queen Elizabeth (R 08), and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Forces led by Hyuga-class helicopter destroyer JS Ise (DDH 182) joined with U.S. Navy carrier strike groups led by flagships USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) and USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) to conduct multiple carrier strike group operations in the Philippine Sea. The integrated at-sea operations brought together more than 15,000 Sailors across six nations, including frigates of the Royal Netherlands Navy, Royal Canadian Navy and Royal New Zealand Navy, and demonstrates the U.S. Navy’s ability to work closely with its unmatched network of alliances and partnerships in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Gray Gibson)




Zf322. Cpf 2. 211003-N-LI114-1182
USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), HMS Queen Elizabeth (R 08), and JS Ise (DDH 182) lead a formation during multiple carrier strike group operations, Oct. 3. (U.S. Navy/MC2 Michael Jarmiolowski)

VIRIN: 211003-N-LI114-1182.JPG
Photo by: MC2 Michael Jarmiolowski

[Karl Welteke]

Japanese Self Defense Force Carrier in Subic Bay 12th Nov. 2021

A shipmate sent me this picture (below here) on the 13th Nov. 2021. He said he could make out the Japanese Flag. He and I didn’t hear any local news about this ship visit and don’t know what the ship was doing here. I speculate they received supplies. We also wondered why there were no aircrafts on the flight deck.



Zf422. This seems to be the Japanese carrier JS Kaga DDH 184 in Subic Bay Freeport Zone (SBFZ) on the 12th. Nov. 2021. I reported earlier that the Japanese Ship JS Ise DDH 182 was operating in the South China Sea (called the Philippine West Sea, here in the Philippines) with other Allied Navies jointly with the US Seventh Fleet.



Zf423. This is a close up of the last picture; it does look like the number 184 to me. This picture also shows an U.S. Navy Military Sea Lift Command ship (MSC); both are moored (tight-up) at the Revera Wharf of the former U.S. Navy Ship Repair Facility (SRF) on the 12th Nov. 2021.



Zf424. This is a nice and clear picture of the JS Kaga DDH 184 from Wikipedia.

[Karl Welteke]

Hanjin Shipyard News as of Jan 2022.



Zf546. Hanjin Shipyard in the Subic Bay area from Google Earth.

Met an American worker today (20th Feb. 2022) in Barrio Barretto in Subic Bay. He told me this. He is setting up machinery and equipment in the former Hanjin Shipyard for something that involves the Military. He is on a 5 year contract here. He is with about 50 other Americans and they hired about 20 Filipinos so far. They started on the 3rd of Jan. this year and most of them arrived about in the middle of Jan. There is a smaller group working in Manila, doing paperwork, he said. They are quartered in 2 hotels here in Barrio Barretto and drive with a bus everyday to work.
I asked him, is that to support ships, he didn’t know or didn’t think that!

[chadhill]

Another great job, Karl. Could the Japanese carrier have sent it's air wing to Cubi?

Note from Karl, 22-02-22: "I don't think so".