MANILA, Philippines 鈥 The USS Blue Ridge, the flagship of the United States 7th Fleet, arrived in Manila on Wednesday marking its first port visit to the Philippines since 2016.
According to the US Embassy, the port visit of the Blue Ridge, the oldest operational ship in the US Navy, and the 7th Fleet team will give the Philippines and the US opportunities to renew its longstanding ties with the Philippines.
鈥淥ur nations are longstanding allies and our navies have worked together for generations,鈥 Vice Adm. Phillip Sawyer, commander of the US 7th Fleet, said. 鈥淥ur visit to Manila strengthens the bonds between our navies and our shared commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific.鈥
The US Embassy also noted that this visit would provide many Filipino-American sailors to reconnect with their Filipino heritage.
鈥淚 am very excited to come back to my first home,鈥 Seaman Charmaine Dalusung, who was born in the Philippines, said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 been a very long time since I鈥檝e seen the friends and family I grew up with, so I鈥檓 extremely grateful to the Navy for giving me the opportunity to reconnect with my roots and culture.鈥
During the visit, Blue Ridge commanding officer Capt. Eric Anduze will meet with officials of the Philippine Navy for a tour of the flagship to explain its mission and goals.
鈥淲e are very proud to be back in Manila after a long absence,鈥 Anduze said. 鈥淭he Philippines has been an ally of our country for many years, and being able to show our appreciation for that friendship is something we always look forward to.鈥
The US Embassy said that the 7th Fleet and the Blue Ridge sailors would also talk with local veterans to share stories and camaraderie with each other at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center in Quezon City.
Meanwhile, representatives from both countries will engage in staff talks on board the USS Blue Ridge which aims to expand interoperability between the two and provide a venue for professional exchanges. /atm