US Submarine Wows Subic Visitors and Residents
Subic Bay Freeport – The US Submarine USS Chicago arrived here this morning afloat, to the awe and amusement of both visitors and residents in the area.
Arriving at a time while a summit of Philippine advertising executives from all over the country is ongoing in the Freeport, the submarine provided a treat to the delegates who have never seen one all their lives.
USS Chicago (SSN 721), a Los Angeles-class fast attack submarine, is on a routine port call that highlights the strong historic, community, and military connections between the United States and the Republic of the Philippines.
This visit will allow the ship to replenish supplies as well as give the crew an opportunity for rest and relaxation.
The USS Chicago is part of the U.S. Pacific Fleet and is homeported in Guam. The Chicago is commanded by Cmdr. Lance Thompson and crewed by approximately 135 sailors. Measuring more than 360 feet long and weighing more than 7,000 tons when submerged, Chicago is capable of supporting a multitude of missions including anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface ship warfare, strike, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance.
Despite pocket rallies in Metro-Manila protesting US military presence in the country, especially with the recently PH-US Enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), residents of Olongapo, Zambales and Bataan welcome the agreement, mainly for economic reasons.
Visits of US vessels infuse millions of pesos in the local economy by the servicemen’s spending as well as from the services and supplies the ships require that are sourced locally.
With China’s unabashed aggression in occupying Philippine territories in the West Philippines Sea, the importance of PH-US alliance have become more pronounced and imperative given the country’s lack of military equipment and capabilities that China seems to be taking advantage of. (VVV)
