Not many people are aware of it but two of the Navy's Gregorio Del Pilar-class frigates are representing the country in the ongoing CARAT 2014 exercise off the Zambales coast.
These ships are the BRP Gregorio Del Pilar (PF-15), the lead ship of the class and BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PF-16).
Both ships are former Hamilton-class cutters serving the US Coast Guard.
The two frigates are the largest combatants of the Philippine Navy and are the mother ships of the AgustaWestland AW-109E "Power" helicopters commissioned last December 2013.
As of this writing, both ships along with the four American naval vessels are engaged in various exercises which include combined operations at sea, amphibious landings, diving and salvage, and maritime patrol and reconnaissance flights, and gunnery drills.
The American contingent consist of the USS Halsey (DDG-97) or the USS John S. McCain (DDG-56), an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer, USS Ashland (LSD-48), a Whidbey Island-class docking landing ship, USS Safeguard (ARS-50), a Safeguard-class rescue vessel plus assorted Marine and helicopter units.
CARAT refers to "Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training".
It formally began on June 26 and will end on July 1.
Lt. (JG) Rommel Rodriquez, Philippine Fleet spokesperson, said BRP Gregorio Del Pilar was acquired and commissioned in 2011 while BRP Ramon Alcaraz was obtained in 2012 and commissioned in 2013.
Both Filipino ships are also armed with the Oto Melara 76mmm automatic cannon which is considered one of the best weapons of its class as it can engage both surface and air targets within a range of 20 nautical miles.
He added that it will be the first time that these modern fleet assets will be working together in a joint naval exercise with foreign naval ships.
http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?idn=1&sid=&nid=1&rid=658028
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