USS Guardian's crew honored, transferred to new warship

From GMA News (Apr 2): USS Guardian's crew honored, transferred to new warship

Despite the flak they received in the Philippines, crew members of the USS Guardian were recognized by the United States Navy for the “courage and dedication they showed” after their sea vessel ran aground on the world famous Tubbataha Reef off the coast of Palawan, a report from the United States Pacific Fleet said.

The report said 79 crew members of USS Guardian were handed letters of recognition after they were transferred to a new warship, the USS Warrior, in Sasebo City in Japan last March 27.

"It was an incredible challenge but you demonstrated the greatest character in meeting that challenge," Lieutenant Commander Mark Rice, commanding officer of the USS Warrior, was quoted in the report as saying. "All 79 Guardian sailors made it home because of it. As we move towards the future, know that I have always been proud to be part of this crew."
Last January 17, the USS Guardian ran aground in the Tubbataha Reef due to strong currents while on its way to Indonesia after reportedly completing a port call in Subic Bay. It took salvors over the two months, or until March 30, to completely remove the ship from the area.

The marine protected area's management said the grounding of the American minesweeper may have damaged some 4,000 square meters of the reef. The US government has already apologized for the incident and has vowed to provide compensation for the reef's rehabilitation.

Palawan Rep. Antonio Alvarez earlier called on the Philippine government to determine through an investigation if the USS Guardian's crew's actions may be considered as unauthorized entry to the country's territory.

A member of the USS Guardian's crew, Lieutenant Junior Grade Jared Shrader, was meanwhile quoted in the United States Pacific Fleet report as saying that he and his colleagues underwent training after their sea vessel got grounded.

“The crew has been training for the last month and a half, running drills and visiting other ships. We’re excited to get on board, take possession of this new warship and get back out to sea like we were meant to do,” Shrader said.

Meanwhile, the Philippine Assessment Team will leave Puerto Princesa on Tuesday night for Tubbataha on board World Wildlife Fund research vessel, Navorca, according to WWF CEO Lory Tan.

He said the assessment reports are expected to be submitted to the Tubbataha Protected Area Management Board on Friday afternoon.

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/302052/news/nation/uss-guardian-s-crew-honored-transferred-to-new-warship