USS Emory S. Land to Arrive in Subic Bay

USS Emory S. Land (AS 39), a submarine tender, will arrive in Subic Bay on Friday for a routine port call that highlights the strong historic, community, and military connections between the United States and the Republic of the Philippines.

This visit will allow the ship to conduct maintenance, replenish supplies as well as give the crew an opportunity for rest and relaxation. The USS Emory S. Land is part of the U.S. Pacific Fleet and is homeported in Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean.

While in Subic, the ship’s crew will continue its subject matter expert exchanges with the Philippine Navy. The crew will also engage in several community service projects with schools, medical institutions, orphanages, and other local community centers, as well as community relations activities such as sports events.

The crew of the USS Emory S. Land includes 106 Filipino-Americans (out of 410 total) – 26 U.S. Navy Sailors and 80 Civilian Mariners. They hail from Botolan, Olongapo City, San Antonio, and Pasay City, and elsewhere in the Philippines. Below are some select profiles of the ship’s Filipino-American crew:

• Supply Corps Officer Lieutenant Junior Grade Officer Michael Agojo is an officer and a second generation Sailor, following in the footsteps of his father.
• Logistics Specialist Senior Chief Randy Mangohig oversees the professional growth and development of 35 enlisted personnel aboard the ship.
• Chief Petty Officer Nino Miranda is a Sports Community Relations Coordinator for the Morale Welfare and Recreation Office and is part of the Religious Ministries Team.
• Gunners Mate Second Class Veronica Connole helps trains the crew in safe deployment of the ship’s self defense weapons. She also helps with translations between the ship’s crew and the local community in Subic.
• Chief Petty Officer Enrico Manalac is a language interpreter for subject matter expert exchanges with the BRP Gregorio del Pilar. (US Embassy Public Affairs)