US assault ship due in Subic for goodwill visit

AFP FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–An amphibious assault ship of the United States will arrive in Subic Bay Friday for a goodwill visit, the US Embassy said.

The opening ceremony of the annual Philippine Bilateral Exercise or Phiblex amphibious exercises will take place on Monday at the said ship, it added.

The embassy added that the visit of USS Bonhomme Richard highlights the strong historic, community and military connections between the US and the Philippines.

The Phiblex aims for the enhancement of the interoperability of both nations as well as the improvement of disaster response. It will be held until October 18 and will be conducted in Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, and humanitarian activities in Zambales and Palawan.

In a report by The Korea Herald, it said that some 2,200 Marines are aboard the assault ship and two frigates.

“The Marines are equipped with amphibious assault vehicles, light armored vehicles, artillery, helicopters and Harrier fighter jets,” it also said.