U.S. combat ship in Manila for port visit

From the Philippine Information Agency (Apr 9): U.S. combat ship in Manila for port visit

The United States Ship (USS) Freedom (LCS 1) is now in Manila for its first port visit in Southeast Asia.

In a statement, the visit will highlight the strong historic, community, and military relations between the United States and the Philippines.

The 91 crew of the Freedom will have an opportunity to refuel and receive supplies for the next period of its eight-month deployment.

Some of its Filipino-American crew will also have time off to visit their relatives in Manila and in the provinces of Quezon, Tarlac and Zambales.

The U.S. Embassy, meanwhile, emphasized that the combat ship’s visit to Manila is not related to the ongoing Balikatan Exercises.

From Manila, the ship will proceed to Singapore, where it is scheduled to participate in the International Maritime Defense Exhibition and Conference.

It is also expected to take part in select phases of the Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training exercise series in Southeast Asia.

Commissioned in 2008, Freedom’s maiden overseas deployment began with a departure from its homeport San Diego on March 1. The first in its class ship has since transited the Pacific Ocean and made port visits in Hawaii and Guam.

 http://www.pia.gov.ph/news/index.php?article=241365467965