USS North Carolina. Photo taken from
USS North Carolina (SSN 777)
photo credit: inquirer.net
Nuclear powered US submarine in Subic amid Scarborough standoff - 15-May-2012
MANILA -- A United States attack submarine is in Subic Bay, Zambales as part of its "Western Deployment" amid the ongoing standoff between the Philippines and China in Scarborough (Panatag) Shoal.
A statement from the US Pacific Command said the USS North Carolina (SSN 777) arrived at Subic Bay May 13. The USS North Carolina is a Virginia-class (nuclear-powered) fast attack submarine with a crew of 133.
Scarborough Shoal is within the jurisdiction of the town of Masinloc, also in Zambales.
"The crew is proud of our recent contributions as part of our country's commitment to maintaining freedom of navigation, peace, and stability in the region," said Commander Richard Rhinehart, North Carolina's commanding officer.
North Carolina is the fourth submarine in the Virginia class, the US Navy's newest class of submarine and the first ship designed for the post Cold War environment. The North Carolina is designed to operate with "stealth, agility and endurance in the world's littoral (near the shore) regions, as well as the deep oceans." During this maiden deployment to the West Pacific, her crew completed a wide variety of missions assigned by their operational commander.
"Everyone is looking forward to some good liberty, rest and relaxation during our port visit here in Subic Bay," said chief of the boat, Master Chief Jon Consford. "The crew has worked hard and developed tremendously as a team over the last five and a half months. I could not be prouder to have had the chance to serve with some of the finest Sailors our nation has sent to sea."
Machinist's Mate 2nd Class (Submarine Service) Allan Pruter said he is excited to visit the country where his family is from.
"My family is from the Philippines and I'm the only one who's never been there," Pruter said. "I'm very excited to have this opportunity to visit, especially after working so hard during this deployment."
Measuring more than 350 feet long and weighing more than 7,800 tons when submerged, North Carolina "is one of the stealthiest, most technologically advanced submarines in the world. It brings to the region the capability to conduct the full spectrum of potential submarine missions including anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface ship warfare, strike, naval special warfare involving special operations forces, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, and mine warfare."
North Carolina is homeported in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii and was commissioned in 2008.
Lt. Col. Omar Tonsay, spokesman of the Philippine Navy, said the USS North Carolina is on "routine ship replenishment" for food, water, and other supplies.
It will stay in Subic until May 19.
Tonsay denied that the visit was in relation to the ongoing dispute.
"Walang kinalaman yan, yun nga inuulit namin (This has nothing to do with the dispute, and we are repeating that). The Philippines stands in the crossroads of a major oceanic sea lane, dadaanan at dadaanan tayo ng mga barko (ships will always pass by us), that includes them," Tonsay said.
Nuclear powered US submarine in Subic amid Scarborough standoff - InterAksyon.com
Nuclear powered US submarine in Subic amid Scarborough standoff
Originally Posted by stew_griff
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