The U.S. Navy’s solely forward-deployed plane service, USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) and USS Chancellorsville (CG 62) arrived in Manila for a routine port go to whereas on patrol in U.S. seventh Fleet, October 14. This port go to is USS Ronald Reagan’s first go to to Manila and the Republic of the Philippines in three years. Throughout the port go to, Ronald Reagan will host ship excursions whereas Sailors may have alternatives to discover Philippine tradition, delicacies and historical past. Ronald Reagan’s Command Non secular Ministries Division (CRMD) organized two group relations (COMREL) occasions. Dozens of volunteers are scheduled to work with the Philippines’ Habitat for Humanity on a brand new group work web site in Valenzuela Metropolis and Sailors may even have the ability to play video games and have interaction with kids on the Mild Arms Orphanage.
“Ronald Reagan’s go to to Manila additional strengthens our nation’s partnership with the Philippines and our crew’s reference to the Filipino folks. Whereas on liberty, Reagan Sailors may have the prospect to serve the area people, do some sightseeing, go to native shops and eating places, and to expertise all that Manila gives. There may be a lot for the crew to see and do, and we sit up for our go to,” mentioned Capt. Daryle Cardone, commanding officer of Ronald Reagan.
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“These tasks present an excellent alternative to expertise a extra significant reference to the folks of the Philippines, in addition to leaving an enduring, constructive influence on the group right here,” mentioned Cmdr. Glenn Orris, command chaplain. “All whereas supporting our strategic mission as representatives and ambassadors of the USA.”
“Each go to we make to the Philippines offers us an opportunity to rejoice our shared values and mutual safety pursuits that type the muse of our maritime partnership. This go to helps us reinforce the shut ties now we have with the folks and authorities and guarantee we proceed to face challenges collectively,” mentioned Rear Adm. Michael Donnelly, commander, Service Strike Group 5 (CSG 5).
“It’s all the time good to return house to the Philippines,” mentioned Logistics Specialist 2nd Class Nigel Pasague, initially from Butuan Metropolis earlier than transferring to Cleveland as an adolescent. “I sit up for experiencing the land, the tradition and particularly the meals. It offers me a way of delight to return as a U.S. Navy Sailor. I wish to set an instance that if I can do it, anybody can do it.”
The command’s Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) workplace ready excursions for Sailors that embody views of the town, pure landmarks, and cultural exploration alternatives. A few of the Sailors aboard Ronald Reagan are of Filipino descent, together with those that have been born and raised within the Philippines earlier than immigrating to the U.S. Ronald Reagan final visited Manila in 2019, previous to the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic. The ship’s return to the Philippines is a crucial facet of its deployment because it strengthens the bond between the U.S. and the Philippines as maritime companions within the Indo-Pacific. The Ronald Reagan Service Strike Group is deployed to the U.S. seventh Fleet space of operations in assist of a free and open Indo-Pacific area. Because the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed fleet, seventh Fleet interacts with 25 different maritime nations to construct partnerships that foster maritime safety, promote stability, and forestall battle.
