US guided missile destroyer makes port call

From Malaya Business Insight (Mar 16): US guided missile destroyer makes port call

A US guided-missile destroyer arrived yesterday for a routine port visit for maintenance and crew rest, the fifth American vessel to visit the Philippines this month for such a visit.

The US embassy said the visit of USS Russell “is intended to strengthen the relationship between the US Navy and the people of the Philippines.”

The ship came from South China Sea or West Philippine Sea, where the disputed Spratly Islands is located.  

The Americans have stepped up patrols in the South China Sea to ensure freedom of navigation. China has turned aggressive in its claims over the past years and has gone to the extent of conducting land reclamation in seven reefs.

The USS Russell, assigned with the US 5th Fleet in California, was reassigned to the US 7th Fleet in the Asia Pacific region in September last year.

The US embassy said the USS Russel is making its way to its homeport in San Diego, Califoria after a “highly successful deployment.” It did not say the duration of the ship’s port visit to the Philippines.

“Following the visit to Manila, the USS Russell will continue its voyage home, certainly with its crew bearing a better understanding of the history, culture, and people of a strong regional partner,” the embassy said.

Four other US ships made port calls to the Philippines this month, namely, the dry cargo and ammunition ship USNS Charles Drew (Subic), the 7th Fleet command ship USS Blue Ridge (Manila), the guided-missile cruiser USS Antietam (Manila), and the Los Angeles-class submarine USS Charlotte.

http://www.malaya.com.ph/business-news/news/us-guided-missile-destroyer-makes-port-call