22nd Annual CARAT Philippines begins in Subic Bay

SUBIC BAY, Philippines - The 22nd CARAT Philippines kicked off June 6 between the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, and the Armed Forces of the Philippines, with exercises taking place in multiple locations across the country and in the waters near Subic Bay and Palawan.

The four-day CARAT (Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training) exercises will focus on combined operations at sea, amphibious landings, diving and salvage, maritime domain awareness, and community service events. Sailors and Marines will train with their AFP counterparts in a host of military engagements, professional exchanges and training seminars.

Civil action projects, community service events and combined military band concerts are also planned to foster relationships and bonds with the Filipino people.

“CARAT enables us to develop strong relationships with our Philippine Navy and Marine partners,” said Rear Adm. Charles Williams, Commander, Task Force 73. “Through 22 years of engagement in CARAT, we continue to make steady progress in increasing the complexity of our training and enhancing cooperation between our navies.”

CARAT Philippines is part of a broader exercise series the U.S. Navy conducts with nine partner nations in South and Southeast Asia to address shared maritime security priorities, strengthen maritime partnerships and enhance interoperability among participating forces. The Philippines has participated since the series began in 1995.

"CARAT strengthens the strong and enduring relationships between the U.S. and Philippine navies," said Rear Adm. Ronald Joseph S. Mercado AFP, commander, Philippine Fleet. "We're looking forward to working alongside our U.S. Navy and Marine partners during CARAT 2016.

U.S. Sailors and Marines participating in CARAT Philippines 2016 represent a host of ships, squadrons, and units from across the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. This year’s exercise features the guided missile destroyer USS Stethem (DDG 63), the landing dock ship USS Ashland (LSD 48), and the diving and salvage ship USNS Salvor (T-ARS-52), along with a P-8 Poseidon aircraft, Navy expeditionary forces, Marines assigned to the III Marine Expeditionary Force - 3rd Marine Division, a platoon from Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EODMU) 5, staff from Commander, Task Force 73 (CTF 73) and Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7, and the 7th Fleet Band Orient Express.

The Philippine Navy assets and units will include the Minesweeper Frigate BRP Rizal (PS74), the Del Pilar Class Frigate BRP Gregorio Del Pilar (PF-15), a Landing Craft Heavy vessel, an AW109 helicopter, an EOD Team, Diving Team, Construction platoon, a Marine Company and the Philippine Fleet Band.

“CARAT provides a great opportunity for our navies to operate together at sea and train during realistic scenarios that better prepare our forces for real-world operations,” said Capt. H. B. Le, commodore, Destroyer Squadron Seven. "With more than two decades of experience working together we are able to execute complex exercises that address shared maritime security priorities and improve interoperability between our navies.”

CARAT 2016 will be the most complex series to date. Its continuing relevance for more than two decades speaks to the high quality of exercise events and the enduring value of regional cooperation among allies and partners in South and Southeast Asia.

As U.S. 7th Fleet's executive agent for theater security cooperation in South and Southeast Asia, Commander, Task Force 73 conducts advanced planning, organizes resources and directly supports the execution of maritime exercises, such as the bilateral CARAT series, the Naval Engagement Activity (NEA) with Vietnam, and the multi-lateral Southeast Asia Cooperation and Training (SEACAT) with Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand.

PHOTO:
SOUTH CHINA SEA (June 28, 2014) U.S. and Philippine Navy ships operate together during exercise Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) in 2014. (from the top) The Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG 56), the Philippine navy frigate BRP Gregaorio del Pilar (PF-15) and the Philippine navy frigate BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PF-16) steam in formation during Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Philippines 2014. (U.S Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jay C. Pugh. http://www.cpf.navy.mil/news.aspx/110050)

http://www.c7f.navy.mil/Media/News/Display/Article/791542/22nd-annual-carat-philippines-exercise-begins-in-subic-bay

Read More

USS Fort Worth restocks, refuels in Subic

The USS Fort Worth, the United States' Littoral Combat ship (LCS 3), stopped at Subic Bay last Monday, May 4 to resupply and refuel, the US Embassy in Manila said Tuesday.

It was the first stop in the Philippines for USS Fort Worth, on its maiden 16-month rotational deployment to support the Indo-Asia-Pacific Rebalance, the embassy said.

“While this is a brief visit for Fort Worth, the ship will return to the Philippines later this summer to participate in Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) 2015 with the Republic of Philippines Navy,” said Cmdr. Matthew Kawas, Fort Worth Crew 103 commanding officer.

After the refueling, USS Fort Worth will continue its routine operations in the 7th Fleet area of responsibility.

USS Fort Worth is the second LCS to deploy to 7th Fleet as part of an initiative to deploy up to four LCS in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region by 2018, the embassy said.

It said the third and fourth LCS deployments are planned in 2016.

"Fast, agile and mission-focused, littoral combat ships are designed to operate in near-shore environments and employ modular mission packages that can be configured for surface warfare, mine countermeasures or anti-submarine warfare," the embassy said.

It added the Fort Worth will use surface warfare (SUW) mission package for its entire deployment, augmenting a 57mm gun and rolling airframe missile launcher with two 30mm guns, two 11-meter rigid-hull inflatable boats, and two six-member maritime security boarding teams.

USS Fort Worth will also have an embarked aviation detachment from Helicopter Maritime Squadron (HSM) 35, the Navy's first composite expeditionary helicopter squadron, which consists of one MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter and one MQ-8B Fire Scout unmanned aircraft system.

The Fire Scout complements the MH-60R by extending the HSM-35's range and endurance, enhancing maritime domain awareness.

CARAT exercises

Meanwhile, the embassy said USS Fort Worth will conduct routine patrols in the 7th Fleet area of operations before it returns to Singapore for the International Maritime Defense Exhibition and Conference (IMDEX) 2015.

During the summer and fall, USS Fort Worth will take part in most of the 2015 CARAT exercise series.

CARAT is an annual series of bilateral exercises involving the US Navy, Marine Corps and the armed forces of nine partner nations including Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Timor-Leste. (Joel Locsin/LBG, GMA News)

PHOTO:
USS Navy's Littoral Combat Ship USS Fort Worth. (Agence France-Presse)

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/482314/news/nation/uss-fort-worth-restocks-refuels-in-subic

Read More

U.S. PHL troops conclude CARAT with amphibious landing exercise

SUBIC BAY - Members of the United States and Philippine Marines concluded Monday the five-day Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercise with amphibious landing at the beach in San Antonio, Zambales.

The marines were on board USS Ashland and landed on the beach by hovercrafts or Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) of the U.S. Navy.

On the beach were amphibious assault vehicles, also of the American Navy.

They conducted combat exercise on the beach and surrounding terrain unmindful of the heavy rains.

“The training is okay. There are lots of information from the U.S. about combat,” PFC Almond Estrada of the Philippine Marines said.

Corporal Chris Cavey of the United States Marines enjoyed working with their Filipino counterparts.

“They are good guys, it is fun working with them, good experience,” he said.

Lance Corporal James Martinez and his companions said they learned a lot like in martial arts with the use of knife techniques.

“I have great time here, they are very professional, no language barrier,” he said.

“We’ve learned a lot in the training like the first aid, combat and the use of their new equipment,” said Philippine Marines Sgt. Ramil Escandor. (PNA)

PHOTOS:

[1] San Antonio, Zambales - An amphibious assault vehicle arrives during an amphibious assault exercise with U.S. Marines assigned to the 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, and Philippine marines held in support of Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Philippines 2014. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Jay C. Pugh/Released)

[2] San Antonio, Zambales – U.S. Marines, assigned 1st Battalion 8th Marine Regiment, Bravo Company, conduct joint amphibious landing exercises with Philippine Marines during Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Philippines 2014.(U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Gilbert A. Bolibol/RELEASED)

Read More

20th Annual CARAT Philippines Exercise Begins in Subic Bay

SUBIC Bay, Philippines - A U.S. Navy task group comprised of ships, aircraft, Sailors and Marines arrived in the Philippines to commence the 20th annual exercise Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT), June 26.

The guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG 56) and the dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD 48) arrived in Subic Bay, while the diving and salvage ship USNS Safeguard (T-ARS 50) arrived in Sangley Point. An opening ceremony was held on board the Philippine navy ship, BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PF 16), one of two former Hamilton-class Coast Guard Cutters transferred to the Philippines navy in recent years.

CARAT Philippines is part of a broader bilateral exercise series the U.S. Navy conducts with nine partner navies in South and Southeast Asia to address shared maritime security priorities, strengthen maritime partnerships and enhance interoperability among participating forces. The Philippines has participated since the series began in 1995, and the past two decades CARAT are a clear example of the longstanding and close U.S.-Philippines navy-to-navy relationship.

"It's safe to say that after two decades, many of the senior officers and enlisted here today probably participated in a past CARAT Philippines, and this coming week, more than 1,000 U.S. Navy Sailors and Marines will join the ranks of CARAT alumni," said Rear Adm. Stuart Munsch, commander of Task Force 74 and 7th Fleet's Executive Agent for CARAT Philippines.

Munch noted that CARAT was part of a broader series of U.S.-Philippines navy-to-navy exercises, exchanges and staff talks that occurred throughout the year.

"These engagements share a common theme, that our security cooperation not only supports mutual interests, it contributes to regional stability and prosperity - a formula that is truly positive sum," said Munsch.

The CARAT series promotes regional maritime cooperation with many participating navies. Planning for each phase of CARAT begins a year in advance and exercise phases take place during the same general timeframe each year. CARAT 2014 began in late May and recently completed phases with Malaysia and Indonesia. Additional phases will continue through end of year with Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, Singapore and Timor-Leste.

Continuing through July 1, this year's CARAT Philippines will focus on combined operations at sea, amphibious landings, diving and salvage, and maritime patrol and reconnaissance flights. Sailors and Marines will train with their Philippine Armed Forces counterparts during multiple drills, professional exchanges and seminars ashore. Civil action projects, community service events and band concerts will facilitate interaction with the local community.

2014 Exercise events will occur in several locations ashore and at sea including Subic Bay, San Antonio in Zambales, Sangley Point in Cavite City, and Ternate. Previous CARAT exercises were held in Mindanao (2012), Palawan (2011), Subic Bay (2010 and 2013), Cebu (2009) and other locations. As in years past, the sea phase will take place in international waters west of Subic Bay.

"We're very much looking forward to getting underway for the at-sea phase of CARAT," said Capt. Paul Schlise, commodore of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7 embarked on McCain. "These training opportunities are critical to enhancing our interoperability, safeguarding freedom of the seas and ensuring we're ready to respond in partnership with the Philippines in case of an HADR scenario or other crisis."

More than 1,000 Sailors and Marines are participating in CARAT Philippines 2014. Participating units include McCain, Ashland with embarked Marines from 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, Safeguard with embarked Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit (MDSU) 1 and a P-3C maritime patrol aircraft. Also participating are Seabees from Naval Mobile Construction Battalion (NMCB) 1, a platoon from Riverine Squadron (RIVRON) 1, a platoon from Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EODMU) 5, staff from Commander, Task Force 73 (CTF 73) and Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7, and the 7th Fleet Band Orient Express. (Task Force 73 Public Affairs)

PHOTO:
U.S. Marines aboard Whidbey Island-class amphibious dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD 48) exhibit amphibious assault vehicles (AAVs) to embarked Philippine marines. Ashland is participating in exercise Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) 2014, a bilateral maritime exercise series between the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps and the armed forces of Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, Thailand and Timor-Leste. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Raymond D. Diaz III/Released)

http://www.cpf.navy.mil/news.aspx/030433

Read More

20th Annual CARAT Philippines 2014 starts, US ships to dock in Subic Bay

A U.S. Navy task group comprised of ships, aircraft, Sailors and Marines will commence today (June 26) the 20th annual exercise Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Philippines 2014.

Five warships, including a U.S. guided-missile destroyer, and about 1,000 troops will take part in week-long CARAT exercises. Exercises will occur in several locations ashore and at sea including Subic Bay, San Antonio in Zambales, Sangley Point in Cavite City, and Ternate. The sea phase will take place in international waters west of Subic Bay.

The USS Halsey, an Arleigh Burke-class missile-guided destroyer, will dock in Subic Bay Freeport for the exercises. It will be joined by the USNS Safeguard and the USS Ashland.

BRP Ramon Alcaraz, a former US coastguard cutter, and the BRP Emilio Jacinto, a former British Royal Navy Peacock-class ship, will likewise join for the drills, along with Polish-made helicopters.

CARAT Philippines is part of a broader bilateral exercise series the U.S. Navy conducts with nine partner navies in South and Southeast Asia to address shared maritime security priorities, strengthen maritime partnerships and enhance interoperability among participating navies. The Philippines has participated since the series began in 1995, and CARAT exercises over the past two decades are clear examples of the longstanding and close U.S.-Philippines navy-to-navy relationship.

As a long-standing exercise, CARAT promotes regional maritime cooperation with many participating navies; it is not in response to current events. The 2014 CARAT series began in late May, is taking place in Malaysia now, and continues through end of year with Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Singapore and Timor-Leste. Joint planning for each phase of CARAT begins a year in advance and exercise phases take place during the same general timeframe each year.

This year’s CARAT Philippines focuses on combined operations at sea, amphibious landings, diving and salvage, and maritime patrol and reconnaissance flights. Sailors and Marines will exchange best practices and share information with their Philippine Armed Forces counterparts during multiple professional exchanges and seminars ashore. Civil action projects, community service events and band concerts will facilitate interaction with the local community. (SNL/MPD-SBMA)

PHOTO:
Photo File of USS Halsey, expected to dock today in Subic Bay Freeport.

Read More

Philippines, U.S. to hold naval drills near disputed shoal in S.China Sea

(Reuters) - Philippine and American troops are set to hold naval exercises this month near a disputed shoal, which will almost certainly anger China with tension already high in the South China Sea.

China claims 90 percent of the South China Sea, potentially rich in oil and gas and fisheries.

The Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, Vietnam and Taiwan also claim parts of the waters, and China has viewed with suspicion what it sees as U.S. moves to "provoke" tension by supporting its regional allies, notably Vietnam and the Philippines.

Five warships, including a U.S. guided-missile destroyer, and about 1,000 troops will take part in week-long Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercises, which include live-fire drills 40 miles (64 km) off Zambales, on the western shores of the Philippine island of Luzon.

The drills are to be held about 80 nautical miles distant from two or three ships of the Chinese coast guard are stationed on patrol off the disputed Scarborough Shoal, control of which China seized from the Philippines in 2012.

In January 2013, the Philippines went to the arbitration court in The Hague to question China's "excessive" policy in the South China Sea, hoping the court would order China to pull its ships away from the rocky outcrop.

The exercises are aimed at strengthening the capabilities of both sides in amphibious operations, special operations and surface warfare, besides enhancing information-sharing, navy spokesman Lieutenant Rommel Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez said the drills were a regular annual event.

"They'll have targets at sea, called 'killer tomatoes'," he said, referring to the live-fire exercise. "All ships will aim at the hostile objects. Then they will take turns to fire their guns."

The USS Halsey, an Arleigh Burke-class missile-guided destroyer, will dock in the Philippine base Subic Bay on June 26 for the exercises. It will be joined by the USNS Safeguard and the USS Ashland.

Manila will send the BRP Ramon Alcaraz, a former US coastguard cutter, and the BRP Emilio Jacinto, a former British Royal Navy Peacock-class ship, for the drills, along with Polish-made helicopters. (Reporting by Manuel Mogato; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)

http://in.reuters.com/article/2014/06/19/philippines-usa-drills-idINKBN0EU0US20140619

Read More

Subic wows Japan defense chief

Seeing the economic capabilities of this premier Freeport, Japanese Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera came here to talk to Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) officials on how to convert Okinawa into the next Subic Freeport.

Onodera’s delegation, who came before the 19th annual Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT), met with SBMA Chairman Robert Garcia, who showed off an audio video presentation of how Subic Bay Freeport transformed from a military base into the country’s economic flagship.

Last year, the United States and Japan agreed that about half the US Marines in Okinawa will soon leave, a move that could help alleviate the Japanese resentment building up due to the presence of Americans in their island.

The move is also one of the plans of the Obama administration in the US to spread their military forces all over the Pacific region, a move that has irked the Chinese government.

The planned transfer would leave the Japanese government parcels of land that they can use for other purposes, mainly economic.

Subic Bay Freeport’s Cinderella tale came when the US military left the area after the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo.

On March 13, 1992, the Philippine Congress passed Republic Act 7227, known as the Bases Conversion and Development Act of 1992, creating the Subic Bay Freeport as the first Philippine free port, in anticipation of the pullout of the US naval base facilities.

Section 13 of RA 7227 created the SBMA and with free port incentives lobbied for by Richard Gordon – the city mayor then – resulting in an amendment granting tax and duty-free privileges and incentives during the bicameral committee hearings. Consequently, Gordon, then the mayor of the City of Olongapo, became the first SBMA chairman.

Mayor Gordon with 8,000 volunteers took over the facility to preserve and protect US$8 billion worth of property and facilities when the last US Navy helicopter carrier USS Belleau Wood sailed out of Subic Bay on Nov. 24, 1992 and started the conversion of the military base into a free port like Hong Kong and Singapore.

Richard Gordon was SBMA chairman until June 1998, when then President Joseph Estrada issued Administrative Order No. 1, appointing former Bataan Representative and Harvard-trained Felicito C. Payumo in Gordon’s stead.

In August 2004, then President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo issued Executive Order No. 340, reorganizing the SBMA’s Board of Directors, and defining the powers, functions and duties of the chairman. (Jonas Reyes, Manila Bulletin)

Read More

19th CARAT Philippines Supports Strong and Enduring Maritime Relationship

The 19th annual Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Philippines exercise commenced with an opening ceremony in Subic Bay, June 27.

Continuing through July 2, CARAT Philippines 2013 consists of seven days of shore-based and at-sea training events designed to address shared maritime security priorities, develop relationships, and enhance interoperability among participating forces.


"For the past 19 years, CARAT Philippines has played a major role in the strong and enduring relationship between our naval forces," said Rear Adm. Tom Carney, commander, Task Force 73 and commander, Naval Forces CARAT. "This year’s exercise builds on that longstanding foundation, and offers many opportunities to conduct joint and combined training with the Philippine Navy, Coast Guard and Marine Corps."

CARAT is a series of bilateral naval exercises between the U.S. Navy and the armed forces of Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Timor-Leste. CARAT Philippines began in 1995, and has since occurred in several locations throughout the Philippines, including Cebu (2009), Subic Bay (2010), Puerto Princesa (2011) and most recently General Santos City in Mindanao (2012).

Training events in each CARAT phase are tailored based on available assets and mutual training goals across a broad range of naval capabilities. CARAT Philippines 2013 will focus on maritime security operations, maritime domain awareness and information sharing. The exercise will also feature extensive training in diving and salvage operations, jungle warfare and marksmanship, tactical combat casualty care, civil affairs, riverine and boarding team scenarios, sporting events, community service projects and public band concerts.

More than 600 U.S. Sailors and Marines are participating in CARAT Philippines 2013.
Participating ships include the guided missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62) with embarked Commander, Task Group 73.1/ Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7 staff, and the diving and salvage ships, USNS Safeguard (T-ARS 50) and USNS Salvor (T-ARS 52). A company of Marines from with India Company, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment will participate in shore-based events.

Also participating in CARAT Philippines are medical, civil affairs and visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) evaluators from Maritime Civil Affairs and Security Training Command (MCAST), divers from Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit 1 (MUDSU), P-3C Orion aircraft, and the U.S. Seventh Fleet Band, Orient Express. (CTF 73 Public Affairs)

Read More

US access to Subic eyed

DEFENSE Secretary Voltaire Gazmin yesterday said government is crafting an agreement that will allow American forces to regain access to their former naval base in Subic.

He said the Americans will not be putting up military bases in the country.

Asked about reports that the military has revived plans to build new air and naval bases at Subic Bay, Gazmin said: “Let me clarify issues. We’re not going to construct bases. We will be accepting access. Right now, the agreement has not been firmed up. We are in the process of crafting the agreement relative to our Constitution and the Visiting Forces Agreement.”

The VFA, ratified by the Senate in 1999, allows US forces full access to Philippine bases.

Reuters, quoting senior Navy officials on revived plans, said the bases would allow the Philippines to station warships and fighter jets just 124 nautical miles from Scarborough Shoal, a contentious area of the South China Sea now controlled by China after a tense standoff last year.

It also said the proposed bases in the Philippines coincides with a resurgence of US warships, planes and personnel in the region as Washington turns its attention to a newly assertive China and shifts its foreign, economic and security policy towards Asia.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry, asked about the Subic plan, urged China’s neighbors to push for peace.

“China urges the Philippines and regional countries to meet one another halfway, make joint efforts to maintain mutual trust between countries, make positive efforts towards regional peace and security and play a constructive role,” said ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying.

Gazmin, last April while there was tension in the Korean peninsula, said US forces might be allowed access to Philippine bases in case of “extreme emergency.” He also said then that the US would not be allowed to put up bases because that is against the Constitution.

Gazmin, in an ambush interview after meeting yesterday with visiting Japanese Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera, said after an agreement is crafted and if it is approved, “then there will be equipment coming in from the United States.”

“We have not talked about specific equipment yet but we do welcome the inclusion of a new technology, very new to us, so that this is part of our education,” said Gazmin.

On whether other countries like Japan would also be allowed access, Gazmin said: “We do welcome other countries, particularly Japan since Japan is a strategic partner, in accordance with our existing protocols.”

Onodera said he and Gazmin discussed during their meeting the US rebalancing program. He acknowledged that the US presence in the region is “very important.”

“We agreed that Japan and Philippines will work together to make this rebalance a reality,” said Onodera.

“I have heard they (Philippines) are making efforts to further increase rotational deployment of the United States forces and I also heard or learned that the Philippine side is now discussing with United States further increase of United States presence in the Philippines,” he said.

Gazmin said the increased rotational presence of US forces can be done through “high value, high impact” exercises that are being regularly conducted by Filipino and US forces.

Defense department spokesman Peter Paul Galvez, asked to elaborate on Gazmin’s statement that an agreement allowing US forces to have access to their former naval base is being crafted, talked of a “plan” instead.

“A plan being made is the transfer of some PAF (Philippine Air Force) units to Subic. Moreover, Subic has deep water port for the warships Alcaraz and Del Pilar,” said Galvez, referring to the Hamilton-class cutters BRP Ramon Alcaraz and Gregorio del Pilar acquired from the US.

“It is coincidental that Subic is near Bajo de Masinloc,” said Galvez, referring to Scarborough Shoal.

“It is to allow access to our military facilities to strategic partners,” said Galvez, without elaborating on the extent of the access that is being planned to be given to the US.

MIX-UP?

Asked what will be the difference between the “access” being given to US forces now and that being planned, Galvez said: “The two issues are being mixed up. First, what is being studied is the implementation of the US increased rotational presence under the VFA (Visiting Forces Agreement). `Access’ is one of the modalities we are exploring to implement the increased rotational presence. Re Subic, the AFP is studying relocating units in some portions of Subic for strategic defense purposes.”

Subic, a deep-water port sheltered by jungle-clad mountains, has been a special economic zone since US forces were evicted in 1992, ending 94 years of American military presence in the Philippines and shutting the largest US military installation in Southeast Asia.

Since then, American warships and planes have been allowed to visit the Philippines for maintenance and re-fuelling.

US military “rotations” through the Philippines have become more frequent as Beijing grows more assertive in the South China Sea.

Reuters quoted the senior military officials as saying they believe the plan has a strong chance of winning approval as Aquino seeks to upgrade the country’s decrepit forces.

Another Philippine navy officer said the arrival in a few weeks of a second Hamilton-class cutter from the United States would put pressure on the navy to find a suitable port for large warships.

Since 2002, US forces helping fight al Qaeda-linked Islamist militants in Mindanao have shared several bases with Philippine troops.

US Navy surveillance planes are allocated spaces in a local air force base at Clark.

“We’ve seen a lot of similar ‘joint use’ arrangement. The US does not want bases, only access,” a Navy captain familiar with the Subic proposal told Reuters.

“We will share our bases with them and I am sure the US would love them.”

URGENCY

Congress last year approved $1.8 billion for military modernization, with the bulk going to acquisition of ships, aircraft, and equipment such as radar. The military had raised the plan in the past, but is now pushing it with more urgency following a series of naval stand-offs with China.

“The chances of this plan taking off under President Aquino are high because his administration has been very supportive in terms of equipment upgrade,” said a senior military officer who asked not to be identified.

“The people around him understood our needs and more importantly, what our country is facing at this time.”

A 30-hectare area has been identified for the bases, which would station fighter jets and the Philippines’ biggest warships that patrol the disputed sea, including the Hamilton-class cutter ships BRP del Pilar which arrived the country in 2011 and BRP Ramon Alcaraz which is expect to arrive next month.

The plan has taken on added urgency since the tense two-month standoff last year at the Scarborough Shoal. Chinese ships now control the shoal, often chasing away Filipino fishermen.

The South China Sea dispute will again loom large over regional diplomacy next week when US Secretary of State John Kerry joins his counterparts from Southeast Asian nations and China among other countries for an annual meeting in Brunei.

The Philippines plans to raise the issue of Chinese ships’ “encroachment” near another disputed coral reef where Manila recently beefed up its small military presence, diplomatic sources told Reuters. China in turn has accused the Philippines of “illegal occupation” of the reef, which is a strategic gateway to an area believed to be rich in oil and natural gas.

THEME PARK SHELVED

Roberto Garcia, chairman of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, which oversees the Subic Bay Freeport, confirmed the plan to build the new bases, saying he had shelved plans in the area for a theme park to make way for it.

“I don’t see any problem if the government wants to build an air and naval base in the Freeport area,” Garcia said, noting the increase in the number of US military port calls to Subic.

This year alone, 72 US warships and submarines visited Subic, compared with 88 for all of 2012, 54 in 2011 and 51 in 2010, according to official data.

CUBI POINT

The Philippine military also wants to revive an airstrip that once handled some of the largest military aircraft in the US arsenal. The former Cubi Point Naval Air Station, carved out of a mountain adjoining Subic, served FedEx Corp cargo plans after the US forces withdrew.

But FedEx ceased operations at the airstrip, now called Subic Bay International Airport, in 2009. Two senior Air Force officers told Reuters the military had proposed to Aquino to convert parts of the airstrip into an air base. (Victor Reyes, Malaya - With Reuters)

Read More

USS Fitzgerald docks in Subic for 19th CARAT exercise

The guided-missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62) today (Thursday) docked at Alava Pier of former US Ship Repair Facility (SRF) here to participate in the ongoing 19th Philippines-United States Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercise.

The Philippines and US Naval forces kicked off the CARAT exercise at the South China Sea right after an opening ceremony on Thursday morning at the former US Naval base here.

The ship's visit and CARAT exercise highlight the strong historic community and military relations between the Philippines and the United States.

The 19th CARAT is a series of bilateral naval exercises between the U.S. Navy and the armed forces of Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Timor-Leste.

CARAT Philippines began in 1995, and has since occurred in several locations throughout the Philippines, including Cebu (2009), Subic Bay (2010), Puerto Princesa City (2011) and General Santos City (2012).

The training events in each CARAT phase are tailored based on available assets and mutual training goals across a broad range of naval capabilities, according to the US Embassy Information Office advisory.

CARAT Philippines 2013 will focus on maritime security operations, maritime domain awareness and information sharing.

The exercise will also feature extensive training in diving and salvage operations, jungle warfare and marksmanship, tactical combat casualty care, civil affairs, riverine and boarding team scenarios, sporting events, community service projects and public band concert.

On Friday, two more supply ships, the USNS Washington Chamber and USNS Salvor, will arrive in Subic Bay for the offloading of supplies and equipment for the CARAT exercise. (PNA)

Read More

CARAT community outreach events

Joint US-Philippine contingent reaches out to communities around Subic Bay as part of the Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Philippines.

CARAT is a series of bilateral exercises held annually in Southeast Asia designed to strengthen relationships and promote maritime security.

OPEN WIDE!: A U.S. Navy doctor, Cmdr. Dennis Taylor, examines a student at San Miguel National High School in San Antonio, Zambales Province, during a Medical Civic Action Project (MEDCAP) on October 14. Taylor, a Navy reservist assigned to Naval Hospital Unit Camp Pendleton, provided free dental care to hundreds of patients during the event as part of Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Philippines. CARAT is a series of bilateral exercises held annually in Southeast Asia designed to strengthen relationships and promote maritime security. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jason Tross)


SHARING AMERICA’S FAVORITE PASTIME: Ensign Crispin L. Cristal, right, of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) tries to beat a throw to home plate during a pickup softball game at San Esteban Elementary School in San Antonio, Zambales Province. On October 14, 11 sailors from the USS Essex and sailors from the Philippine Navy donated educational and recreational materials to the school and spent the day interacting with the children playing sports and spending time in the classroom. U.S. Navy sailors from the USS Essex (LHD 2), USS Denver (LPD 9), and USS Harpers Ferry (LSD 49) are in Subic Bay conducting Amphibious Landing Exercise (PHIBLEX) 2011, an annual bilateral exercise designed to improve interoperability, increase readiness, and develop professional relationships between the two forces. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Casey H. Kyhl)

Read More

3,000 US servicemen in joint exercises

AT least 3,000 United States servicemen and their assets are in the country for two military exercises with their counterparts in the Armed Forces in Central Luzon and Southern Tagalog, a military spokesman said (yesterday).

The Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercise will be held October 13 to 22 at the former US Navy base at the Subic Bay in Zambales, and the Amphibious Landing Exercises (Phiblex) on October 14 to 22 at the former US Air Force base in Clark, Pampanga.

"Around six US Navy vessels and three aircraft (will) participate in these annual events that involve five Philippine Navy ships and around 1,000-strong PN (Philippine Navy) contingent of sailors and marines," said Navy spokesman Lt. Col. Edgard Arevalo.

Under CARAT are "in port" trainings, including subject matter expert exchanges and community service activities like medical, dental and engineering civic actions and other humanitarian activities, and "at sea" trainings which involve visit, board, search and seizure procedure; maritime interdiction operations and surveillance; and naval gunfire support, among others.

For the Phiblex, Arevalo said a boat ride exercise will be held at the Marine Base in Ternate, Cavite and a mechanized raid at the Naval Education and Training Command in Zambales.

"The exercises hope to attain inter-operability between the two armed services of both countries," said Arevalo.

"Particularly, it seeks to bolster the inter-operability of the participating country’s armed services in territorial defense in pursuit of our national defense strategy," he added. (Victor Reyes, Malaya)

Read More