Another US submarine in Philippines for ‘routine port call’

USS North Carolina (SSN 777)

MANILA, Philippines – Another United States submarine made a port call at Subic Bay on Monday, the United States embassy said.

USS Louisville, a nuclear-powered fast attack submarine of the Los Angeles class design, is in the county for a routine port call that highlights the strong historic, community, and military connections between the United States and the Republic of the Philippines, the embassy said.

This visit will allow the ship to replenish supplies as well as give the crew an opportunity for rest and relaxation, it also said.

The USS Louisville was commissioned on November 8, 1986 at the Naval Submarine Base, New London, Connecticut.

Last month, USS North Carolina, also made a port call at Subic Bay amid tensions between China and Philippines on Scarborough Shoal.

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Frances Mangosing | INQUIRER.net | June 25, 2012 | Article Link

US nuke-powered attack submarine docks in Subic

The newest fast-attack submarine of the United States has docked at Subic Bay—about 250 kilometers from Scarborough Shoal off Zambales—“as part of her Western Pacific deployment,” a post at the web site of the Pacific Command (Pacom) said.

Written by Lt. Lara Bollinger of the Submarine Group 7 Public Affairs, the post added that the Virginia class USS North Carolina (SSN 777) “arrived at Subic Bay May 13.” 

“North Carolina has conducted a series of missions showcasing the latest capabilities of the submarine force. The crew is proud of our recent contributions as part of our country’s commitment to maintaining freedom of navigation, peace and stability in the region,” Cmdr. Richard Rhinehart, the submarine’s commanding officer, was quoted as saying in the article.

Philippine defense and military officials were silent about the arrival of North Carolina amid the dragging standoff with China at Scarborough Shoal, which is about 250 km from Subic Bay.

Commissioned in 2008, the USS North Carolina has a total crew of 133 and lists its home port Pearl Harbor in Hawaii.

“Everyone is looking forward to some good liberty, rest and relaxation during our port visit here in Subic Bay,” said the chief of the boat, master chief Jon Consford.

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Zaff Solmerin | Correspondent/BusinessMirror.Com.Ph | May 16, 2012 | Article Link