USS Fort Worth makes first visit in Philippines, returning for CARAT 2015

From Ang Malaya (May 5): USS Fort Worth makes first visit in Philippines, returning for CARAT 2015

A littoral combat ship, USS Fort Worth of the United States Navy made a short stop in Subic Bay, Philippines yesterday, May 4 for resupply and refueling. This is the first visit of the said warship. After the said stop, the vessel continued its routine operations in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility.

“This is the first stop in the Philippines for Fort Worth, which is currently on her maiden 16-month rotational deployment in support of the Indo-Asia-Pacific Rebalance,” US Navy said. Fort Worth was commissioned to service September 2012.

Fort Worth employs the surface warfare (SUW) mission package for her entire deployment.

“While this is a brief visit for Fort Worth, the ship will return to the Philippines later this summer to participate in Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) 2015 with the Republic of Philippines Navy,” said Cmdr. Matthew Kawas, Fort Worth Crew 103 commanding officer.

Last year, Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Philippines 2014 was held June in several locations ashore and at sea including Subic Bay, San Antonio in Zambales, Sangley Point in Cavite City, and Ternate.

http://www.angmalaya.net/nation/2015/05/05/10719-uss-fort-worth-makes-first-visit-in-philippines-returning-for-carat-2015