United States Navy USS John C. Stennis Strike Group (JCSSG) is conducting a routine port visit to the Philippines, John C. Stennis Strike Group Public Affairs said. The carrier strike group will be in Subic May 20 and May 21 in Manila. The strike group has been operating in West Philippine Sea and participated in exercises involving ASEAN armed forces including the recently concluded Balikatan 2016.
In the Philippines, strike group personnel will conduct cultural exchanges with the people of the Philippines by participating in community relations projects (COMRELS). Sailors plan to visit local elementary schools, cemeteries, memorials, and a medical center.
JCSSG consists of USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9 and Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 21 embarked, guided-missile destroyers USS Stockdale (DDG 106), USS Chung-Hoon (DDG 93), and USS William P. Lawrence (DDG 110), and guided- missile cruiser USS Mobile Bay (CG 53).
The strike group is the centerpiece of the Great Green Fleet (GGF) and uses energy conservation measures and operational procedures in the course of its normal tasking to increase energy efficiency. JCSSG has been underway as part of the GGF since January 2016 and participated in Exercise Balikatan 2016 in April.
“We are excited to visit Manila and Subic Bay. This is a great opportunity for our Sailors to see the sights and experience the warm hospitality of the Filipino people,” said Rear Adm. Marcus Hitchcock, commander, JCSSG. “Many of our Sailors look forward to reconnecting with family and friends in the local area.”
The strike group entered US 7th Fleet area of operations February 4, to participate in a number of exercises during this deployment; training, integrating and building capacity with allies in the Pacific region as part of an ongoing rotation of US forces supporting maritime security operations in waters around the world, the US Navy said.
Five of the seven US Mutual Defense Treaties are with countries in 7th Fleet area of operation which are Republic of the Philippines, Australia and New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Japan, and Thailand.
http://www.update.ph/2016/05/us-navy-carrier-strike-group-visits-philippines/5845
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