‘King Kong’ research ship from US Navy heads for the Philippines

A former US Navy research vessel which was used in a 1976 monster thriller film is on its way to the country as the Philippine Navy’s first oceanographic research vessel.

Image From Wikipedia

The Philippine Navy has formally commissioned into service the 46-year-old US Navy ship to be used for hydrographic surveys and marine scientific research and exploration.

The BRP Gregorio Velasquez was formally turned over by the US Navy to the Philippine Navy last Tuesday in christening and commissioning ceremonies held in San Diego, California. The vessel is expected to arrive in the country in June.

She was formerly the R/V Melville (T-AGOR-14) which was operated by the Scripps Institution of Oceanography.  She was pledged to the Philippines last year.

The 279-feet-long research vessel appeared in the 1976 movie “King Kong” because of its hypoid propulsion drive at that time, which allowed it to move sideways.

As a policy, the Navy names its auxiliary research vessels after national scientists. Dr. Gregorio Velasquez, after whom the ship was named,  was a pioneer in Philippine physiology and was named a National Scientist in 1982.

Navy spokesperson Capt. Lued Lincuna said the ship was due to arrive in the Philippines by the third week of June after setting sail from California on Friday.

The Navy official said the research vessel would be used for hydrographic surveys and marine scientific research and exploration.

“Also, it will enhance our capacity and build our capability to support the environmental protection efforts and exploration of the country for economic purposes,” he said.

Platform for collaboration

“It will also become a platform for interagency collaboration for partners in the academe and thus improve awareness of our subsurface environment,” Lincuna stressed.

In November last year, US President Barack Obama pledged to donate the R/V Melville and the US Coast Guard Cutter Boutwell (WHEC-719) to the Philippine Navy as excess defense articles.

Commodore Narciso Vingson, deputy commander of the Philippine Fleet and defense undersecretary Jesus Millan, a former Navy flag officer in command, received the vessel.

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Inquirer.net

Salvage team begins cutting of USS Guardian’s engine room

MANILA, Philippines – The USS Guardian dismantling operation continued during the weekend in preparation for the cutting of the US Navy minesweeper’s engine room, according to the spokesperson of the Philippine Coast Guard.

Lieutenant Commander Armand Balilo, also chief of the PCG’s public affairs office, on Sunday said the US Navy-contracted salvage team was “in the process of clearing the USS Guardian’s engine room and the lower deck of equipment, loose materials and debris.”

In a text message to the Philippine Daily Inquirer, he also disclosed that “good weather in the Tubbataha Reef (in the Sulu Sea) has allowed the salvage operation to progress.”

“Wind speeds of 10 to 15 knots and waves of 0.6 to 1 meter are prevailing in the reef area,” noted Balilo.

The salvage team “has dismantled over 50 percent of the USS Guardian,” said the Coast Guard’s Palawan district in a report to the PCG headquarters in Manila.

The Coast Guard search-and-rescue vessel BRP Romblon (SARV 3503) is closely monitoring the salvage operation, led by the main crane ship Jascon 25, according to Balilo.

Seven other ships were in the vicinity: the US Navy supply ship Wally Schirra, USS Salvor, crane ship SMIT Borneo, barge Seabridge S-700, tugs Archon Tide and Intrepid, and the Malayan tow vessel Trabajador 1.

Last week, the USS Guardian’s four engines, as well as its two diesel generators and fantail cranes, were successfully removed and transferred to the Seabridge by the Jascon 25.

The salvage team is expecting favorable weather conditions in the reef area in the next three to four days that would allow it to continue work on the 68-meter US Navy vessel, which ran aground on the reef on January 17.

The ship dismantling operation began on February 22 but was suspended at least four times due to bad weather.

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Jerry E. Esplanada | Philippine Daily Inquirer | March 17, 2013 | Article Link

Salvage ops for USS Guardian half-way done - Task Force Tubbataha

Salvage crew for USS Guardian

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY – Salvage operations for the grounded USS Guardian at the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park (TRNP) has now accomplished around 50-percent of its target, Task Force Tubbataha (TFT) said Monday.

Commodore Enrico Efren Evangelista, head of the TFT and commander of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)-Palawan District, said, "We are expecting calm weather in the next three to four days so work will continue on the USS Guardian by the Task Force."

As of Monday, the salvors had cleared pipes and vents at the funnel base of the USS Guardian; lifted remaining portions of the funnel base section at the port side; and cleared all types of interference at the auxiliary machinery room and main machinery room.

They also worked and prepared all machineries at the AMR and MMR for removal; transferred additional hydraulic power unit to the USS Guardian; and opened the top containers for loading of debris.

The 50-percent accomplishment, he added, includes the preparation and mobilization of the salvage operation.

A spokesman for the US Navy said salvage costs have so far totalled more than a million dollars.

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Donna Jean M. Genilan | Phlippines News Agency | March 12, 2013 | Article Link

Blue Ridge makes goodwill visit to Philippines

In this file photo, USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) operates in the

 South China Sea in May 2012. 

(U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication

 Specialist 2nd Class Jason Behnke)

MANILA, Philippines - U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge arrived in Manila for a goodwill port visit March 7.

This port visit gives embarked Marines, 7th Fleet staff and Blue Ridge Sailors an opportunity to experience Manila's unique culture and provide Sailors with several community service events.

For more than 30 years, Blue Ridge has maintained a presence in Southeast Asia region strengthening allied ties through community service projects and conducting joint military exercises, including the Republic of the Philippines.

Blue Ridge Commanding Officer, Capt. Will Pennington said, "Port calls in Manila are a demonstration of the continuing friendship between our two nations, and are a tremendous opportunity for the crew to experience the warm and friendly Filipino culture. Our partnership and alliance is long standing and mutually beneficial. We are looking forward to community service events, sporting games, and subject matter expert exchanges with our Philippine Navy counterparts."

Aboard Blue Ridge, there is a large percentage of Filipino Sailors who are getting the chance to reconnect with family and friends for the first time in many years.

This is the first time I'm returning to the Philippines in more than five years," said Culinary Specialist 1st Class Sukarno Ikbala. "I'm very excited to take part in the events planned with the community and spending some quality time with my family that lives here."

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MCS 1st Class Heather Ewton | US Pacific Fleet | March 6, 2013 | Article Link

MDSU 1 safely removes funnel of USS Guardian

130226-N-VF350-235

SULU SEA (Feb. 25, 2013) Sailors from Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit (MDSU) 1 and U.S. Navy contracted salvage crew members from the M/V Jascon 25 safely remove the exhaust funnel structure from the mine countermeasures ship USS Guardian (MCM 5). Guardian ran aground on the Tubbataha Reef Jan. 17. The funnel's removal was a milestone in the dismantling process of the Guardian. 

The U.S. Navy and contracted salvage teams are safely dismantling and removing the ship from Tubbataha Reef. 

The U.S. Navy continues to work in close cooperation with the Philippine authorities to safely dismantle Guardian from the reef while minimizing environmental effects.

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Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Anderson | U.S. Navy | February 25, 2013 | Article Link

Salvage works for USS Guardian ongoing - PCG

MANILA, Feb. 22 (PNA) -- Helped by improving weather conditions, salvage crews are working aboard the grounded USS Guardian (MCM-5), the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said Friday.

Lt. Cmdr. Armand Balilo, Coast Guard spokesperson, said crewmen aboard the pipelay ship Jascon 25 have stabilized their position near the stricken minesweeper.

He salvage works were being pushed as the weather off Tubbataha Reef, where the USS Guardian has been stuck since Jan. 17, had improved compared to Thursday's.

On Wednesday and Thursday, big waves, poor visibility and bad weather conditions threatened the safety of the salvage crews. 

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Philippine News Agency | February 22, 2013 | Article Link

US Ready To Disassemble Warship Stranded At Reef

With the Jascon 25 pipelay crane vessel now at the Tubbataha reef, a spokesman of the United States Navy (USN) said yesterday salvage personnel will begin disassembling and removing the stricken Guardian minesweeper as soon as possible.

Lt. Frederick Martin, the USN Combined Task Unit (CTU) Guardian public affairs officer, gave the Manila Bulletin a summary of their salvage plan.

He stressed though that "individual steps, such as when to begin disassembling portions of the Guardian, are decisions made by the on-scene salvage experts based on weather and conditions at the site."

According to the USN officer, "Jascon 25, a dynamic positioning crane, has arrived in the area. This crane does not need to anchor, so it is expected to be able to operate where the other crane, Smit Borneo, could not. It also has a higher lifting capacity, needed to remove some sections of Guardian."

"Once the Jascon completes the Philippine Customs process and aligns and tests its dynamic positioning system, weather permitting, Smit salvage personnel will begin disassembling and removing the Guardian with the crane," he said.

In an email to the Manila Bulletin, Martin also provided a rough outline of the current salvage plan, but made it clear that "it will probably change as it is executed."

"It  is important to understand that the plan is constantly changing and being refined as the operation continues. The salvage of USS Guardian is extremely complex, and is affected by a wide variety of factors, including weather and the continued structural degradation of Guardian itself," Martin explained.

Marine salvage is a dynamic operation and operational plans will need to be adjusted as circumstances change," he added.

When the dismantling of the Guardian begins, Martin said topside equipment will be removed first, followed by masts, funnel and other accessible equipment and portions of the ship.

"Throughout the process, protection of the environment and mitigation of environmental risk will be a significant consideration, alongside safety of personnel," he said.

"Next, once loose material has been removed, we expect to begin removing the ship's superstructure - the part of the ship above the main deck.  Sections will be cut free and lifted with the Jascon crane, again with consideration of protecting the marine environment," Martin said.

Once the superstructure is removed, heavy machinery and equipment will be removed from inside the ship.

The USN spokesman said they have already removed the fuel and most of the other hazardous materials from the ship, and will monitor the removal of this equipment to ensure any remaining material is appropriately contained.

"Once the hull is mostly empty, we expect to begin to cut it into sections that can be secured and lifted.  Our current estimate is that we will remove the hull in three sections.  The bow and stern will be removed as intact pieces; however, the middle section will need to be removed in a piecemeal fashion as the structure lacks the strength to lift intact," he said.

The ship will be disassembled using a combination of hydraulic and pneumatic saws, grinders, cutters, and other equipment.

As equipment and sections of the ship are removed, they will be transferred to a barge or deck of the crane for further work.

The spokesman said, however, that they have not yet determined the final disposition of Guardian.

"Again, this entire plan is provisional, and based on what we know of the current conditions.  As we conduct the operation, we may find we need to alter the plan, possibly significantly.  We are working to remove the Guardian safely, while minimizing risk to the environment, and as quickly as those other considerations allow," said Martin.

He also reiterated that the salvage plan continues to emphasize safety and protection of the environment.

"Throughout the operation the salvage experts will alter procedures as necessary to protect personnel and the Tubbataha Reef ecosystem," stated USN spokesman.

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Elena L. Aben | Manila Bulletin | February 18, 2013 | Article Link

Dismantling of US Navy ship to start on Monday

MANILA, Philippines—The American minesweeper USS Guardian, which is stuck on the Tubbataha Reef in Palawan, will be “chopped up” beginning Monday, a Philippine Coast Guard official said Saturday.

PCG Palawan District commander Commodore Enrico Evangelista said the crane ship MT Jascon 25 was due to arrive in the area at 11 p.m. Saturday and that salvaging operations for the USS Guardian would begin on Monday.

“For the past one month, we prepared the USS Guardian for removal and the best scheme to remove (it) is through cutting,” Evangelista said in an interview. “We have already removed the things that can be removed so now [the entire ship] is ready for removal. We will begin cutting (on Monday).”

Evangelista said they had already removed “50-caliber machine guns, small guns and ammunition but no missiles.”

The United States earlier hired the services of the salvaging ships MT Trabajador 1 of Malayan Towage and Salvaging Corp. and the Vos Apollo of a Malaysian company based in Singapore. The US Navy’s USNS Salvor and the PCG’s BRP Romblon are also at the site.

Evangelita said the chopped up parts of the ship would be taken to Vos Apollo and transferred to a barge from Subic Bay.

“This is a warship of the US Navy so they will determine where it will be disposed. I still don’t know what they intend to do with it. The ship may have a design that is a trade secret,” he said.

He added that the Philippine government no longer needed these ship parts for its investigation into the grounding incident.

In Baguio City, Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya  ruled out the possibility of sending the crew of the USS Guardian to jail for running aground on the Tubbataha Reef.

“It becomes tricky on that respect,” Abaya told reporters when asked if the US Navy servicemen could be imprisoned for destroying the corals at the Tubbataha Reef as provided in RA 10067, the law that established the Tubbataha Reef National Park.

Abaya said it was accepted in the general practice of international laws that “men of war, foreign naval vessels enjoy immunity, especially if it is in the line of duty.”

“So that has been practiced (worldwide), so it would be difficult on that part,” Abaya said on the sidelines of the Philippine Military Academy  Homecoming in Fort del Pilar. Abaya is a member of PMA Class ’88.

Nonetheless, Abaya said the US Navy would still be sanctioned for the damage its minesweeper caused to the reef that has been declared a World Heritage Site by the United Nations.

The USS Guardian, which ran aground on January 17, destroyed some 4,000 square meters of corals. But Abaya said the overall damage to the reef had yet to be “assessed” because the ship was still stuck there.

The only way to have an “accurate picture” of the damage is if the ship has been removed, he said.

Abaya expressed hope that the salvaging of USS Guardian would be finished by March, depending on the weather in the area as the personal safety of the crew should also be considered.

Abaya noted that the US government has been “very cooperative and they have immediately apologized… The least they can do is cooperate, become transparent, and share with the people what’s going on.”

Abaya said there was some speculation about how the ship ran aground.

“Some say they probably enjoyed too much of an R&R in Subic. They said there was an error in digital charts. Some say they were doing a different thing there, on their own. This is all speculation so it would be irresponsible on my part to even assume,” Abaya said. 

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Philip C. Tubeza | Philippine Daily Inquirer | February 16, 2013 | Article Link

Salvaging operations for US ship in Tubbataha begin

MANILA, Philippines - Salvaging operations for the USS Guardian began yesterday after the Tubbataha Protected Area Management Board (TPAMB) allowed a crane ship to lower its four anchors some 10 meters away from the protected area.

Coast Guard Palawan district chief Commodore Enrico Efren Evangelista said the Smit Borneo arrived at the site at 6 p.m. Tuesday.

The crane ship is needed to chop off the 68-meter-long US Navy minesweeper into smaller parts. The sections would be transferred  to another ship.

Evangelista said the Smit Borneo had started rigging its anchor, which takes time because it must be lowered deep into the Sulu Sea.

“There has to be precision in anchoring to make sure that the anchor would land at the correct spot,” he said,

Evangelista, who also heads the Task Force Tubbataha, said the TPAMB issued a manifestation agreeing to have the anchors lowered far from the damaged reef.

Ten meters (from the edge of the reef) is already a very safe distance,” he said.

The Smit Borneo will drop four anchors. The two at the bow will be lowered to a depth of 800 meters, which will hit sandy bottom, and the two at the stern will hit a depth of 300 meters.

Its crane can carry up to 500 tons.

Evangelista said fair weather was needed to ensure little movement in the water that could cause the minesweeper to drift.

The salvage team will use power tools and other equipment to cut the vessel into pieces. A generator will be on hand if needed.

Evangelista said the TPAMB set several conditions before agreeing to allow the ship to drop anchor.
These include a joint initial ecological assessment before and after the salvaging operations, to be conducted by the Coast Guard and park rangers.

Two representatives from the Tubbataha Management Office (TMO) will also join the Smit Borneo as observers.

The TPAMB also required nets or containment barriers to prevent further damage to the reef as the salvaging gets underway.

Those engaged in the salvaging operations are also required to abide by Tubbataha park rules and regulations.

The Guardian ran aground last Jan. 17 and is estimated to have so far damaged 4,000 square meters of coral.

US authorities reported removing the 15,000 liters of automotive diesel oil and other hazardous materials on the ship.

Meanwhile, the militant group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) slammed President Aquino for agreeing to the proposal to tap US troops to guard Tubbataha to prevent another accident.

Pamalakaya vice chairman Salvador France said the President’s proposal is “patently unpatriotic.”

He said Aquino should instead pursue “criminal and other appropriate charges” against US Navy officials and the 79 crew members of the Guardian.    

Last Tuesday, Aquino welcomed the idea of deploying a US Navy- led, Peace Corps-type volunteer team to help guard Tubbataha, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Aquino said the volunteers under the command of the US Navy would not only guard the reef but also help in rehabilitation efforts and ensure that no ship would aground in the area again.
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Evelyn Macairan | The Philippine Star | February 7, 2013 | Article Link

US Navy Warship Now In Subic

SUBIC BAY, Zambales — The “USS Stockdale (DDG-106),” an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer of the United States Navy (USN), arrived here for the first time yesterday to undergo a routine port visit.

Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Roberto Garcia said the visit in the Philippines is part of the ship’s nine-month deployment to the Western Pacific that began in January this year. 

He said the visit will also permit the Stockdale to replenish supplies as well as offer its crew an opportunity for rest and relaxation.

Quoting Cdr. Lex Walker, Commanding Officer, USS Stockdale, Garcia said “visiting Subic Bay provides us with a great opportunity to continue the long-term relationship between the Philippines and the United States… and that is very important to us.”

He said Walker also spoke about the diversity of his crew, many of whom are Filipino-American sailors, and urged the Filipino citizens to look at the ship.

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Franco G. Regala | Manila Bulletin | February 5, 2013 | Article Link

US sailors warn to learn karaoke from Filipino counterparts

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Philippines—Filipino soldiers are eager to learn new combat techniques from their American counterparts and experience the use of state-of-the-art equipment during the nine-day Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (Carat) 2012 here, but what do US forces want to learn in return?

“To learn karaoke,” said Capt. Dave Welch, commander of the US Navy’s Destroyer Squadron 31 based in Pearl Harbor.

Welch told the Inquirer aboard the USS Vandergrift at the Makar Port here Wednesday that he and his men wish to go out with Filipino soldiers for karaoke before the exercises end on July 10.

“That’s a certain thing that we need help in,” he said.

Welch said some American soldiers might turn out to be “excellent musicians.”

“We usually put them in our bands but I myself, for example, I am not skilled in karaoke,” he said.

Welch said he and his men can use all the help they can get to become skilled in karaoke singing.

Philippine Navy Capt. Robert Empedrad, Carat 2012 exercise director, said they were willing to teach their American counterparts the tricks of karaoke singing.

“If you’re in the navy, you love singing. That’s one way of entertaining your comrades. 

There’s no problem. We can impart to them our skills on that,” he said.

Welch said it was up to Filipino sailors to learn what they could from US forces during the nine-day exercise.

Empedrad said Filipino soldiers can learn a lot too from their American counterparts in the conduct of warfare.

In fact, on Friday, they will participate in a live fire drill with US sailors in  waters off Sarangani province.

“Our ships are already old but what’s important is we will learn a lot from them,” Empedrad said.

Welch described Filipino sailors and members of the Philippine Coast Guard as very professional.

There are around 450 personnel from the Philippine Navy and Philippine Coast Guard participating in the Carat 2012. The US Navy and Coast Guard sent  about 500 personnel.

The exercises training include  in-port training, subject matter expertise exchanges, ceremonies and interactions; diving and salvage training at General Santos Bay, Sarangani; and medical/dental/ engineering civic action projects and community relations activities in different locations in General Santos City and Glan in Sarangani.

Commodore Philip Cacayan of the Eastern Mindanao Naval Forces said their American counterparts have installed sophisticated radios in their vessels to address communication gaps.

He reiterated that the exercise has nothing to do with the territorial dispute with China over the Scarborough Shoal.

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Jeoffrey Maitem | Inquirer Mindanao | July 5, 2012 | Article Link

PH-US exercises: Glaring gap between 2 navies

GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Philippines - “Iyan ang pangarap natin. Magkaroon man lang sana tayo niyan.” (That is our dream. We wish we'd own one like that.)

Navy Commander Lued Lincuna said this with a sense of resignation as his patrol boat approached USS Vandegrift past noon Sunday, July 1, at the mouth of Sarangani Bay, some 20 nautical miles off General Santos City.

The US frigate is not even in the list of the US Navy's top-of-the-line warships. “Over 25 nautical miles (per hour),” was all Commodore David Welch would volunteer to say when we asked about its maximum speed.

Welch is Task Group 73.1 commander of the US Navy that is participating in the ongoing 2012 CARAT exercises in this city. CARAT stands for Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training, an 18-year joint military exercise and training between the US and its allies in Southeast Asia.

USS Vandegrift is a versatile vessel capable of navigating international waters and behind hostile territories. It's armed with torpedoes and is also designed for anti-submarine warfare. It can stay afloat for weeks on end without refueling. Most of all, it can eavesdrop anywhere in the world with its sophisticated listening and surveillance devices. Stationed in San Diego, California, it can be deployed anywhere in the world at a moment's notice.

Docked side by side at Makar Wharf with USS Vandegrift is the US Coast Guard cutter USCGC Waesche. Commissioned in 2006, USS Waesche is the flagship of the US Coast Guard and its most modern vessel.

(Members of the local press here were only allowed limited tour on USS Vandergrift, commissioned in 1984, and were not brought to USCGC Waesche.)

Lincuna recalled the time when the Philippine Navy was known as one of the best in Asia.

“The Philippine Navy had its glory days in [the late 1960s and] 1970s (before Martial was declared),” Lincuna said as his fast attack craft BRP Salvador Abcede made a traditional welcome pass around Vandegrift.

CARAT 2012. Mere exercises? PHOTO by Edwin Espejo

The Philippine Navy however has deteriorated over the years.

According to global intelligence, “Philippine warships are armed entirely with mounted machine guns and deck guns, the largest of which is 3" (76mm)...The Fleet lacks missile-armed ships, greatly limiting range and effectiveness against enemy warships and aircraft. Even antisubmarine (ASW) weapons like depth charges are absent on all or almost all of the Philippine warships. The Philippine Fleet also lacks its own submarines, not to mention aircraft carriers.”

The Philippine Navy was supposed to be the major beneficiary of the P331-billion (US$ 8 billion) 15-year modernization program of the Armed Forces of the Philippines that was crafted in 1995. The program never took off until recently when the Navy acquired BRP Gregorio del Pilar, and before that BRP Ramon Alcaraz, under the Excess Defense Articles and the 1961 Foreign Assistance Act of US government.

In May this year, the Philippine Navy issued its own wish list for the modernization of its fleet. It includes 6 frigates configured for anti-air warfare, 12 corvettes designed for anti-submarine warfare, 18 Offshore Patrol Vessels (OVs), 3 submarines, 3 Mine Counter Measure Vessels (MCMVs), 4 Strategic Sealift Vessels (SSVs), 18 Landing Craft Utility (LCU) among others.

CARAT 2012. Mere exercises? PHOTO by Edwin Espejo

The Navy's biggest ship right now is the refurbished BRP Gregorio del Pilar.

BRP Gregorio del Pilar was formerly USCGC Hamilton (WHEC-715), built in 1965 but decommissioned by the US Coast Guard in the same year it was transferred to the Philippine Navy.

Commodore Philip Cacayan, commander of the Philippine Navy’s Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao command, said what the navy lacked in equipment and armaments, they make up with their resilience.

He is confident that the Philippine Navy would eventually catch up with its neighbors in Southeast Asia.

Even its ground forces – the Philippine Marines – are still equipped with Vietnam War-era M-16 riffles.

CARAT 2012. Mere exercises? PHOTO by Edwin Espejo

Side by side with some 50 US Marine troops during a riverine exercise, the Philippine Marines and Philippine coast guards can only wish they will someday be issued the M4 version of the Armalite rifles that is currently the standard issue in the US military.

From the combat boots to caps and uniforms to the minutest of combat gear, the Filipino soldier is his US counterpart’s poor cousin.

And each time these exercises are held, the Philippine Navy is reminded that it has a long way to go before it can call its forces a naval fleet. 

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Edwin Espejo | Rappler.Com | July 5, 2012 | Article Link

US ship diverted to Manila Bay to search for missing PAF plane

GENERAL SANTOS CITY – United States (US) salvage ship, USS Safeguard, has been diverted from Mindanao to Manila to conduct search and salvage operations in the mouth of Manila Bay for a missing Philippine Air Force (PAF) trainer plane.

USS Safeguard (T-ARS 50) is one of the US vessels scheduled to participate in this year’s joint Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) 2012 in Mindanao Sea for nine days starting Monday.

“One of our ships, USS Safeguard will conduct the actual salvage operations within Manila Bay area for the PAF missing plane,” said US CARAT commander Rear Admiral Thomas Carney.

The Singapore-based Carney is the commander of the logistics command of the United States (US) 7th Fleet.

Carny was referring to the PAF SF260 trainer plane that plunged along with its two pilots into the mouth of Manila Bay while on a routine proficiency training flight several weeks an hour after taking off from the Sangley Point Naval Base in Cavite City.

To date, combined efforts of the Air Force and Navy search teams to locate the ill—fated trainer plane, as well as its missing, pilot and co-pilot, have yielded negative results.

Underwater robots used to sweep the seabed of Manila Bay have failed to locate the missing plane, which fishermen saw plumeting into the sea near an island in Mariveles, Bataan.

“In this year’s CARAT, we are not only conducting joint Naval and Maritime training exercises, but actual search and salvage operations for the missing PAF plane,” Carney, in an exclusive interview, said.

Carney said that on board the US Salvage ship, equipped with high underwater detection capabilities, are 25 US navy divers and 70 highly-trained personnel in rescue and salvage operations even in the high seas.

The US salvage vessel, along with USS Vandergrift (FF-G-48) and US Coast Guard ship, USCG Waesche (WMSL-751, is in the country to participate in the CARAT 2012 in the Mindanao Sea which Filipino and US officials launched here yesterday.

On the Philippine Navy side, it is deploying BRP Magat Salamat (PS20), BRP Miguel Malvar (PS-19), BRP Salvador Abcede (PG114) BRP Iloilo and BRP Teotimo Figuracion (PG 389) and BRP Tagbanua, a navy logistic ship, while the PCG is deploying the BRP Pampanga for this year’s CARAT within the Mindanao sea.

Aside from the latest addition of minesweeping and naval insertion operations in this year’s joint training exercise, the naval activities also include search and salvage operations.

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Jaime Laude | The Philippine Star | July 2, 2012 | Article Link

Philippines: US warship makes port call ahead of navy excercises

GENERAL SANTOS CITY – US frigate ship USS Vandergrift arrived here Sunday afternoon and dropped anchor at the Makar port as some 500 American troops prepare for a 72-hour joint naval exercise with the Philippine Navy and coast guards.

Commodore Dave Welsch and the crew of the USS Vandergrift were met by Commodore Marfin Tan (res) and Capt. Robert Empedrad of the Philippine Navy in arrival honors that were dampened by heavy downpour.

Welsch is commanding general of Task Group 73.1 of the US Navy.

Commodore Dave Welsch is welcomed by Commodore Marfin Tan (Res) and Capt. Robert Empedrad (PN) upon arrival of USS Vandergrift at the Makar Wharf.FOTO BY COCOY SEXCION

Commodore Philip Cacayan, head of the Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao of the Philippine Navy,  early in the week said US troop movement inland will be restricted and confined to civic military operations.  He said requests for media to board the ships while on exercise will have to be assessed.

Several squads of US Army Special Forces however are already in the city to hold joint military exercises with the Philippine Marines.

The two other US ships expected to participate in the activities failed to join USS Vandergrift.

Sources said US Coast Guard ship USCG Waesche will arrive later in time for the exercise while USNS Safeguard, earlier reported to also join the naval activities here, will instead conduct rescue and salvage training in Manila.

Outside Makar Wharf, some 40 militants belonging to the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) shouted slogans and waved their banners to protest the exercise dubbed Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) 21012.

In a press statement, Bayan spokesperson Ryan Lariba said the exercise only proves increasing US military intervention in the country.

Patrol Boat BRP Salvador Abcede skipper Cmdr Lued Lincuna however said the joint exercise will enable the Philippine Navy and Philippine Coast Guard to upgrade their tactical capabilities considering that the US Navy have far more advance tactics in naval maneuver and warfare .

Cmdr Lincuna told journalists who boarded the Philippine Navy patrol boat in meeting USS Vandergrift at the mouth of Sarangani Bay just off the coast of Maasim that the exercise will be held in the “Mindanao sea” and will be out of sight of residents around the bay.

“It will also involve live fire exercises,” Lincuna said.  Participating Philippine Navy ships are equipped with 20-mm anti-aircraft guns and caliber .50 heavy machine guns.

The BRP Gregorio del Pilar, recently acquired from the US Coast Guard, is the biggest naval asset of the Philippine Navy.  It has an Mk.75 Oto Melara 76 mm Compact main gun, two Mk.38 M242 Bushmaster 25 mm chain gun at midships.  It will not be joining CARAT 2012, however.

USS Vandergrift is a Perry-class frigate and is capable of storing and launching guided missiles.   It has an Mk 75 76mm/62 caliber rapid firing gun and MK 32 ASW torpedo tubes (two triple mounts).  It also houses two Seahawk helicopters and has a crew of 17 officers and 160 enlisted men.

The Philippines will send a 450-man contingent from the Philippine Navy and Philippine Coast Guard to the exercise.

The Philippine contingent will be coming fresh from a taxing rescue operations in Sarangani Bay involving scores of fishermen who were drifted away by a strong storm surge last June 12.

Three fishermen are still missing while the death toll have reportedly risen to at least five other people.

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Edwin Espejo | Asian Correspondent | July 1, 2012 | Article Link

Philippine, US naval exercises slated in Mindanao Sea

Manila (Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN) - The Philippine Navy and United States Navy, including the local and US Coast Guards, will conduct an annual combined exercise to ¿enhance interoperability and share best practices¿ for a week in Mindanao Sea in July.

The Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training will be held on July 2 to 10 at the Naval Forces Eastern Mindanao area with at-sea activities in the vicinity of Mindanao Sea said Navy spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Omar Tonsay.

The exercise includes in-port training, subject matter expertise exchanges, diving and salvage training at General Santos Bay, Sarangani; and medical, dental, engineering civic action projects and community relations activities in different locations in General Santos City and Glan, Sarangani Province.

The exercise will involve the US Navy and Coast Guard, Philippine Navy and Philippine Coast Guard surface, air, and special operations units in the conduct of shore-based cross training exercises, diving exercise, salvage exercise, air operations exercise, and at-sea fleet training exercises, search and rescue exercise, as well as friendly sports competitions in volleyball and basketball.

The exercise will also test the personnel and naval assets, operational readiness and ultimately, improve the naval defense capability of the Armed Forces of the Philippines by an exchange of doctrinal and tactical best practices, Tonsay added.

Carat will be participated in by Barko ng Republika ng Pilipinas (BRP) Magat Salamat (PS20), BRP Miguel Malvar (PS19), BRP Salvador Abcede (PG114), and BRP Teotimo Figuracion (PG389) for the PN; the USS Vandergrift (FFG48) and USNS Safeguard (T-ARS 50) for the USN; BRP Pampanga (SARV 003) for the PCG; and the USCG WAESCHE (WMSL751) for the USCG.

The PN will also employ one (1) PN Islander (PNI 320) while the USN will provide a P3C Orion and a SH-60B helicopter together with a BO-105CB helicopter from PCG. Likewise, the exercise will involve around 400 personnel from the PN, 350 from the USN, 50 from the PCG, and 150 from the USCG.

Carat, which started in 1995, is a yearly combined exercise conducted at different Naval Forces areas of operations on rotation basis.

Tonsay said the venues have been determined a year in advance and are finalised following confirmation from both navies.

Last year, the exercise was conducted in Sulu Sea area east of Palawan under the Naval Forces West.

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Frances Mangosing | Philippine Daily Inquirer/Asia News Network/Yahoo News Online | 

June 29, 2012 | Article Link

US Seabees Begin Partnership Projects

MANILA, Philippines --- Members of the US Navy Seabees and Armed Forces of the Philippines have started the construction of schools and medical facilities in Samar as part of advance work for the launch of the Philippine leg of the Pacific Partnership 2012 (PP12).

PP12 is the largest annual humanitarian and civic assistance mission conducted by the US Pacific Fleet to strengthen international relationships and partners and host nations in Asia and the Pacific.

It is also aimed at enhancing interoperability of regional forces in their ability to respond to natural disasters and humanitarian emergencies.

AFP spokesman Col. Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos Jr. said work began on three of four Engineering Civic Assistance Projects (ENCAP) of the PP12 last May 24 with the arrival of US Navy Seabees and other partners.

The schools and medical facilities to be constructed as part of the PP2 will benefit 20,000 residents of Samar, Burgos said.

The Philippine leg of the PP2 is scheduled to officially kick off on June 18.  It will run until July 1.

Partner nations of PP12 include Thailand, Australia, Malaysia, Canada, France, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, Korea, Chile, Peru, and Netherlands.

Foreign non-government organizations (NGO) like the Project Hope, Oceanit, World Vets, and Vietnam Medical Assistance Program will also join local NGOs in the implementation of engineering civic action programs (ENCAP), medical civic action programs (MEDCAP), dental civic action programs (DENCAP),  veterinary civic action programs (VETCAP), and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response (HADR) lectures and seminars to Philippines (Samar), Indonesia (North Sulawesi), Vietnam (Vinh), and Cambodia (Sihanoukville).

Burgos said engineers from the AFP, United States Navy, and other partner nations and non-government organizations in the PP12 are already executing the three ENCAP sites in Palanit, Bugtong, and Tambongan ahead of schedule. These are aimed at contributing to the economic and social development of the selected communities.

The ENCAPs will include the construction of a two-classroom school building in Palanit, San Isidro, Northern Samar; renovation of a health center in Bugtong, Tinambacan District, Western Samar; renovation of San Jorge Elementary School in San Jorge Samar; and reconstruction of Tambongan Elementary School in Gandara District, Western Samar.

The Palanit Elementary School has not received any improvement projects in the last six years despite serving primary education to the 3,029 residents of the barangay and adjacent villages. The project will involve the construction of a seven-meter by 16-meter, two-classroom school building that will also serve as a facility for major village functions.

The ENCAPs will also include the major reconstruction of a school building in San Jorge Elementary School that was badly damaged by typhoon in 2011. The project will help the municipality of San Jorge improve the education environment of the school that currently only has 13 classrooms with more than 1,000 students enrolled yearly.

Also, Barangay Tambongan Elementary School has 177 students using only four classrooms and one temporary school building made from bamboo and nipa. The engineering project in the school will construct another seven-meter by 16-meter, two-classroom school building to improve the school’s facility for education.

Meanwhile, the Barangay Bugtong health center serves the 2,069 residents of the village with medical services. The ENCAP will renovate the existing government building by replacing the entire roof structure, repairing walls, constructing a new toilet facility, and installing electrical outlets.

The cities and towns that will benefit include the Catbalogan City and Calbayog City and the towns of Silanga, Gandara, Carayman, Veriato, Malaga, and San Isidro.

AFP Chief of Staff General Jessie D. Dellosa commended the “AFP engineers who committed themselves and joined foreign partners in constructing a brighter future for the youth and improving the quality of life of thousands of residents in Samar.”

“Each time a window of opportunity opens to serve, our soldiers, particularly our engineers, are always a step ahead in making sure that the Filipino people are given the facilities for growth and a better quality of life. For this, we express our gratitude to the partner nations in the Pacific Partnership 2012 for another year of humanitarian, disaster response, community relations, and civic action programs,” said Dellosa.

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Elena Aben | Manila Bulletin | May 28, 2012 | Article Link

Best sailor on US command ship is Pinoy

The best sailor on the USS Blue Ridge — the "finest flagship" of the United States — is a Filipino, one of the ship's ranking officials said.

LtJG Clinton Beaird, Public Affairs Officer, said of Filipino Senior Chief Petty Officer Ed Agustin: "He’s the best sailor that we have on board." 

The  USS Blue Ridge is the US Navy's most technologically advanced ship. It is the permanent flagship of the navy's Seventh Fleet.

During Operations  "Desert Storm" and "Desert Shield" in the 1990s, the USS Blue Ridge served as the flagship for the Commander of the US Naval Forces Central Command.

Beaird said Agustin, 47, was one of the 76 Filipinos serving on the USS Blue Ridge. The Filipinos represent about 12 percent of the ship's nearly 1,000 crew members.

Asked by GMA News Online why he was considered as the "best sailor" of USS Blue Ridge, Agustin said, "Dito sa military, nag-eexcel ang mga Pilipino. Kasi karamihan ang mga nagjo-join sa Navy sa US bata pa, 17 or 18 years old. Tayo, [mga Pilipino], nagjo-join mga 24 [years old] na, mature na, mas dedicated na sa trabaho."
 

Agustin, one of the ship's sailors recruited from Subic Bay in the Philippines, said he was in charge of the ship's maintenance.
 

He was born and raised in the Philippines. His family is from Balagtas, Bulacan, and he studied at the University of the East.

Fast facts about the USS Blue Ridge

The USS Blue Ridge is considered as the "finest ship" of the United States Navy, being the most technologically advanced among its fleet. There are approximately 650 Blue Ridge sailors, 350 US 7th Fleet staff , and up to 450 more personnel during exercises aboard USS Blue Ridge. The 7th Fleet’s area of responsibility encompasses more than 48 million square miles. The area includes 35 maritime countries and the world’s five largest foreign armed forces. Half of the world’s population lives within the 7th Fleet area of responsibility. At any given time, there are more than 60 ships, 200 aircraft and 40,000 Navy and Marine Corps personnel assigned to the 7th Fleet.Read more

He said the last time he came home to the Philippines was "two or three years ago. Exciting. I was looking forward to sinangag, diniguan, papaitan."
 

Asked what he liked about working for the US Navy, Agustin said, "Yung retirement is guaranteed. After 20 years makakapag-retire na ako. Wala kang makikitang trabaho na after 20 years pwede ka nang mag-retire. Pwede kang umuwi ng Pilipinas."

Manila: 'A favorite port of sailors'

Captain Daniel Grieco, who assumed command of the USS Blue Ridge in May last year, said: "Manila has long been a favorite port visit for sailors. This visit provides our sailors the opportunity to appreciate  the unique Philippine culture and to experience the sights and sounds of this busy international city."

A decorated officer, Grieco holds master's degrees in Business Administration (from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University) and National Security Affairs and Strategic Studies (from the US Naval War College).

Captain Derek Rey, who was born and raised in the US but whose parents are both Filipinos, said he was looking forward not only to visiting places such as Intramuros or Corregidor but also tasting Pinoy food. 

"I like nilaga, pancit, lumpia — anything you have in birthday parties," Rey said.

Rey said he told his colleagues at the USS Blue Ridge that "the values of the Filipinos are
very much aligned with the Navy and Marine Corps.

"They [Filipinos] value honor, courage, and commitment and hard work. Those are the values that we embody in the military as well," Rey said.

He thinks his colleagues would "feel right at home in the Philippines."

Jen Romnick Escano, a satellite communications operator, was also born and raised in the US to Filipino parents. "My mom is Caviteño but my dad is from Pangasinan."

Escano said, "It’s nice to come back to the mother country."

He said the last time he was in the Philippines, he was "too young." Now he feels he can appreciate the country and its culture even more. "I can’t wait to have balut. A lot of my friends are afraid of balut but I'm not," he said.
All in the "Navie"

Meanwhile, a junior officer, Ensign Maria Josefa Veloria, 25, enlisted in the US Navy as a Logistics Specialist after graduating from the Recruit Training Command in Great Lakes, Illinois.

A daughter of Brig. Gen. Mariano Veloria, Maryjo — Pepay to her family and friends — ranked first out of 800 sailors in Military Excellence.

A member of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Class 1979, Gen. Veloria is now the commander of the 53rd Engineering Brigade of the Philippine Army.

Maryjo said out of six siblings, four are in the US Navy. The eldest child in the family, Maryjo said she has been with the US Navy for five years now.

She has visited 34 countries and Dubai was the place she liked best. "Iba po talaga siya sa mga napuntahan ko," Maryjo said.

Her mom Navie, who welcomed her at the Manila South Harbor with her dad, said she was the first "Navie" member of the family.

In jest, their mom said all of her four children followed in her footsteps and chose to become Navy personnel and not an Army man like their father.

First cousin of Migz Zubiri

Meanwhile, gunnery sergeant Elwin Zubiri, 31, a first cousin of former Senator Miguel "Migz" Zubiri, said his job was to be a "liaison between the Navy and the Marine corps."

He said he was the only Filipino marine officer on board the USS Blue Ridge.

Zubiri said he feels a little nervous whenever he hears negative news about the Philippines or its neighboring countries.
 

"There’s still a little bit of, you know, a little bit of nervousness. You’ve got family here, what’s gonna happen?" Zubiri said.

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Veronica Velarde-Pulumbarit | GMA News Online | March 26, 2012 | Article Link