A U.S. soldier keeps watch on a U.S. Multi-service high speed vessel, Joint Venture (HSV-X1) as it docks at Manila's pier, Philippines, for a goodwill visit on Thursday, July 14, 2005. The 95.4-meter-long (313-foot-long) experimental craft is a wave-piercing catamaran, which can travel up to 40 knots or about 46 mph, and is currently being operated by join U.S. army and U.S, Navy personnel. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

Heard over the radio yesterday about the appearance of this ship within our shores. Wonder what is the real reason for its visit. Seems to coincide too timely with the political turmoil here. Maybe they want to give it to the Philippine Navy for free? :patrioticpinoy:

:funnypost: It's an X1 classified ship. Maybe still undergoing sea-trials?

http://foxxaero.homestead.com/n_incat_020829.html

That would really be nice, but don't dream on it. :drunk:

no, maybe its just for show with a message that says..."mine is bigger than yours (as it has always been)." these people just love showing off. :drunk:

Indeed...coincidence maybe......? :armywink: :armyLol:

IMHO Can we blame them if that's how we may look at it? Or is it because naiinggit lang tayo? :headbang:

hope they give it to us to hunt down pirates, smuglers and terrorists :drunk:

Not in our wildest dreams. :brrt:

Maybe the US will give it to us but we have to wait for 30 years before uncle Sam would give it to us. that is year 2035. I'll be 65 years old by that time.
The Philippines is still a developing country, my teacher in grade 1 told me that the Philippines is a developing country that was 28 years ago. and we are still a developing country. :demon:

so why won't the US give it away or at least sell it? what's the big deal about the Joint Venture anyway? it's just a transport ship - heck it's a US Army vessel - based on a civilian design and built in Australia (maybe it's on its way back to the manufacturer), basically just a clone of the well-publicized (thanks to East Timor) HMAS Jervis Bay. sure it served in Iraq, but tech-wise it's old news, nothing special about it at all.

maybe the visit is a sales pitch? :armygrin:

pina iingit lang tayo

not yet here but is scheduled to come...



USNS MERCY

I wonder if Sir Jepot was part of those AFP personnel? Might still be at Med School then.

Old pic, but what the heck...

French Ship to visit RP


Durance Class Command and Support Ship

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Durance_class_tanker

The French flagship Var A608, headed by Commander Paul Massart will pay a goodwill visit to the Philippines tomorrow, Sept 16 to Sep 22, 2006.

2 Aussie Ships to join MTA Lumbas 2006



HMAS Newcastle



HMAS Darwin

Check out related thread

http://pdff.sytes.net/index.php?showtopic=395&st=60&#last

And who ever thought the missile system (one arm bandit as we call it) for the Perry Classes were defective :nono: . Too bad the remaining numbers of this class will be the last of their kind in the USN.

U.S. Navy Ship Visiting Philippines to Conduct Community Projects: Engineering, Humanitarian, and Medical Programs Planned
American Embassy, Manila
June 4, 2007


A U.S. Navy ship will visit the Philippines this month as part of a multi-country goodwill mission called “Pacific Partnership.” In conjunction with the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the USS Peleliu (LHA 5) will deliver donated goods such as clothes, toys, food, and medical supplies; provide free health clinics for citizens in poor or remote communities; and conduct engineering projects to construct and improve schools and public buildings.

Pacific Partnership is a unique humanitarian mission that brings together U.S. Military personnel not only with host nation military medical personnel, but also with medical and engineering specialists from nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), private charitable groups, and third-country military medical personnel. These military and civilian volunteers will offer humanitarian-assistance programs ashore and afloat in Southeast Asia and Oceania.

The four-month deployment of the USS Peleliu reflects the longstanding ties between our two countries and reflects American compassion for the people of the Western Pacific region with whom Americans share common bonds. The American people and U.S. Navy are committed to working with our partners to assist people in need of humanitarian outreach. The USS Peleliu will visit the Philippines, Vietnam, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, and the Marshall Islands; specific dates and ports of call will be announced soon.

The deployment will strengthen the goodwill forged between the host nation partners, American forces, and NGOs during previous assistance missions, such as the USNS Mercy deployment in 2006.

"The American people are committed to working with our friends and partners in the Philippines,” says Ambassador Kristie A. Kenney. “I’m proud that the USS Peleliu is visiting the Philippines, and I know that the dedicated men and women on board are excited to visit this beautiful country and to partner with the Armed Forces of the Philippines to assist the Filipino people.”

Adm. Robert Willard, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, praised all involved with the mission that continues the long tradition of U.S. Navy support of humanitarian-assistance programs throughout the world. “The United States is a Pacific nation and as such, we share many interests, values and beliefs with our Pacific neighbors,” he said.

USS Peleliu is a multipurpose amphibious ship. She is the first U.S. Navy ship to carry the name Peleliu, and the second ship named in honor of the World War II battles fought in the Palau Islands. The Pacific Partnership humanitarian mission is commanded by Capt. Robert Stewart, commander, Destroyer Squadron Thirty One. The commanding officer of USS Peleliu is Capt. Ed Rhoades.

For more information about the Pacific Partnership deployment, visit the Internet at http://www.cpf.navy.mil/news_images/Peleliu/index.html.

3 US warships in RP for visit

By JAIME LAUDE
The Philippine Star

Two US warships arrived in Manila Wednesday while a third one is docking in Cebu Thursday, all for a visit to “demonstrate the strength of our partnership,” US Ambassador Kristie Kenney said in a statement.

“I know that the dedicated men and women on board are looking forward to seeing this beautiful country,” Kenney said.

She said the commanding officers and the crew of the USS Milius, USS Chung-Hoon and USS Chosin (which is due in Cebu Thursday) will turn over toys, books and medical supplies to the Department of Social Welfare and Development and take part in housing projects of Gawad Kalinga.

The US Embassy said the three US warships – which it described as protecting “vital world trade routes” and participating in naval exercises “to foster international naval cooperation” – will be in the country until Sept. 16.

The commanding officer of USS Milius based in Diego, California is Filipino-American Edmund Hernandez. The two other warships are both based at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=92246

French Navy ship to dock in Davao for 4-day goodwill visit

By Dennis Santos
Mindanao Bureau
First Posted 17:38:00 04/03/2008


DAVAO CITY, Philippines -- A French naval vessel will dock at the Sasa wharf here on Friday for a four-day friendship and cooperation visit, the French embassy said in statement on Thursday.

French ambassador Gerard Chesnel will also grace the occasion of the frigate arrival.

The statement said the French surveillance frigate Floréal, which means “months of the flower” in French, will pay a “port call” to Davao from April 4 to 8, during which, a light exercise will be held between the French and the Philippine navies.

The Floreal, headed by Commander Johann de Villars, is the first in the class of frigates, which the French government uses for special sea missions.

The Floreal has been outfitted with sophisticated equipment and has detection and weaponry capabilities.

inquirer

about the Floreal wikipedia

The Floréal class is a type of light "sentry frigates" designed for the needs of the French Navy after the end of the Cold War, ordered in 1989. They use construction standards of commercial ships. The ships are named after months of the Republican Calendar.

After the end of the Cold War, it was felt that the risks of a large-scale military confrontation had all but disappeared. The Marine Nationale had to face new missions, while its escort avisos from the 80s were aging, and also badly adapted to low-risk zones.

The concept of "sentry frigate" emerged from the will of the French government to protect its Exclusive Economic Zone (12 million km²), as defined in the Montego Bay treaties. Another need was to address matters of humanitarian aid, diplomacy, or naval law enforcement. To address these missions, an onboard helicopter is clearly the optimal solution, provide versatile, swift and long-range capabilities to deliver support, ferry or rescue.

These constraints defined the need for a ship which would be small; extremely stable to allow use of a heavy helicopter in all weather; small crew, while retaining capacities to accommodate navy commandos; light armament; economic and long-range propulsion system.

The armament was ordered from the DCN Lorient, a traditional naval provider for the French Navy. The Floréal class, though designed to operate in low-risk areas, carry their own armament (they are not dependent on their helicopter).

The most visible piece of armament is the standard 100 mm multipurpose gun turret, which is a feature of most modern French warships. It is installed in one block, with the magazine shelter and the targeting computer. All Floreal frigates are fitted with two Exocet missile launchers, a Dagaie decoy launcher system, two 20 mm Mod F2 cannons, as well as a complete range of detection and counter-measure electronics.

The helicopter is a naval Panther, carrying no armament itself.

She's coming again...

read more

One of our last visitor...



The French Ship,Floreal at Davao

USS Mercy starts 2-week outreach mission today

Friday, May 30, 2008

The hospital ship USS Mercy will start today its two-week humanitarian mission in some parts of the Visayas and Mindanao, an official said yesterday.

Retired Lt. Gen. Edilberto Adan, executive director of the Presidential Commission on the Visiting Forces Agreement, said about 300 medical and construction personnel of USS Mercy will provide free health services to 15,000 patients in 37 sites in Cotabato and Western Samar.

“The mission plans to treat 180 cleft lip palate patients and conduct 20 medical-civic actions in Cotabato City, North Cotabato, Shariff Kabunsuan, Maguin­danao, Sultan Kudarat and Lanao del Norte,” Adan said in a statement.

Adan said the mission will also involve five engineering civic projects, including the repair of the main health center in Calbayog City and four medical-civic action projects in Calbayog and the towns of San Isidro, Sta. Margarita and Gandara.

US Ambassador Kristie Kenney, along with national and local government officials and ranking military officers, will grace the mission’s opening ceremony at the Polloc harbor in Cotabato today.

Adan said the hospital ship, which is on its third visit to the country, is on a five-month humanitarian assistance mission in the Western Pacific and Southeast Asia.

The partnership mission includes experts from Japan, Canada, Chile, Republic of Korea and New Zealand.

“Its medical crew is trained to provide general surgery, ophthalmology surgery, preventive medical treatment, dental and optometry screenings as well as veterinary services,” he said. – James Mananghaya, Pia Lee-Brago

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Nation&p...&aid=2008052974

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-06/...ent_8294757.htm

Canadian warship HMCS Ottawa to call on Manila

Aircraft Carrier Task Force headed by

US aircraft carrier group headed for RP
By Marvin Sy
Thursday, June 26, 2008

In a race against time, a US aircraft carrier is now sailing to the Philippines to help in the retrieval operations for victims trapped inside the ill-fated passenger ferry that capsized off Romblon at the height of typhoon “Frank.”

Malacañang assured the public that the carrier group deployed by the US government would not be carrying nuclear weapons.

Anticipating concerns that could be raised about the arrival of the fleet in Philippine waters, deputy presidential spokesman Anthony Golez said President Arroyo made it a point to ensure that the USS Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group would not be carrying nuclear weapons on board any of its vessels.

“Ever mindful of the (constitutional) prohibition, the President made it a point that the carrier group will not be bringing nuclear weapons in consonance with the policy of freedom from nuclear weapons,” Golez said.

Officials said the Hawaii-based carrier group could be in Philippine waters in the next 24-48 hours to help scour for the victims trapped inside the ill-fated M/V Princess of the Stars, which capsized off Sibuyan Island in Romblon with hundreds of its passengers presumed dead.

US President George W. Bush offered the help of the USS Ronald Reagan, the newest of the Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carriers, during his meeting with President Arroyo at the White House on Tuesday.

“I would like to mention that the President has announced that the government has accepted the (US) offer of one aircraft carrier from Hawaii,” Golez, as National Disaster Coordinating Council (NDCC) chairman, told a disaster briefing at Camp Aguinaldo yesterday.

“The aircraft carrier from Hawaii is going to arrive in the country to help us in our rescue, relief and rehabilitation efforts in areas devastated by the calamity,” he said.

The US support ship USS Stockham with rescue equipment and divers aboard, is already at the wreck site and had linked up with the Philippine Navy and Coast Guard in the area.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Lt. Gen. Alexander Yano said the battle group has already entered the Philippine area of responsibility and is expected to be in Panay any time now.

The USS Ronald Reagan is the largest and newest of the Nimitz-class aircraft carriers and its fleet includes the cruiser USS Chancellorsville, the destroyers USS Decatur, USS Gridley, and USS Howard, the frigate USS Thach, and other support vessels.

Its onboard aircraft are able to assist with transportation of cargo, aerial damage assessment, and support search-and-rescue operations.

It was revealed that the deployment of the warship and its fleet to the Philippines would be to provide assistance including aircraft support, production and delivery of potable water, medical assistance activities, and machinery repair in relation to the damage brought about by the typhoon.

The personnel of the carrier group would be operating under the supervision of Philippine disaster relief officials.

In a statement, the US Embassy in Manila said the arrival of the aircraft carrier group in the Philippines “exemplifies the longstanding ties between the United States and the Philippines and the US commitment to assisting the Philippines, in keeping with our mutual commitments under the Visiting Forces Agreement and the Mutual Defense Treaty.”

Golez said the policy against nuclear weapons does not prohibit the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, such as what is being used to power the aircraft carrier.

“We would like to stress the humanitarian focus of this aid accepted by the President which is of primary national interest given the current situation,” Golez said.

“The coming over of the carrier does not violate the Constitution, being only nuclear powered,” he said.

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?p=37



USS Chancellorsville



USS Decatur



USS Gridley



USS Howard



USS Thach

Way ahead of the Task Force was the USNS Stockham

Recently



The USS Essex, was here last part of Oct to Nov 02

Now



USS DENVER is the sixth AUSTIN - class amphibious transport dock and the third ship in the Navy to bear the name.

090219-N-7280V-109 MANILA, Philippines (Feb. 19, 2009) Rebecca Thompson, spokesperson for the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines addresses media with Capt. Thom W. Burke, commanding officer of the, amphibious command ship, USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19), about the ship's visit to Manila. Sailors aboard Blue Ridge unloaded pallets of medicine, books, and toys to be donated as part of the Project handclasp program. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Daniel Viramontes/Released)



090219-N-7280V-135 MANILA, Philippines (Feb. 19, 2009) Armed Forces of the Philippines Navy and Sailors assigned to the, amphibious command ship, USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) unload pallets of Project Handclasp donated medicine, books, and toys after Blue Ridge arrived in Manila for a scheduled visit. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Daniel Viramontes/Released)



090219-N-7280V-044 MANILA, Philippines (Feb. 19, 2009) Sailors aboard the, amphibious command ship, USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) unload pallets of medicine, books, and toys to be donated during a visit to the Philippines. Ten pallets of Project Handclasp donated medicine, books, and toys were unloaded within an hour of Blue Ridge pulling into Manila Bay. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Daniel Viramontes/Released)



090219-N-7280V-089 MANILA, Philippines (Feb. 19, 2009) Capt. Thom W. Burke, commanding officer of the, amphibious command ship, USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19), turns over Project Handclasp materials to Marcelo Nicomedes J. Castillo, director of the Department of Social Welfare and Development in Manila. Sailors aboard Blue Ridge unloaded pallets of medicine, books, and toys to be donated during a visit in the Philippines. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Daniel Viramontes/Released)