US submarine to visit Subic

MANILA, Philippines - A United States (US) submarine will arrive in Subic Bay on Friday for a routine port call that seeks to boost  security ties between Manila and Washington.

USS Chicago, a Los Angeles-class fast attack submarine, will visit the country to replenish supplies, a statement by the US Embassy said.

The port call will also provide  the submarine’s crew an opportunity for rest and relaxation.

The visit will be held four days after the opening of the Balikatan military drills and more than a week after the signing of the enhanced defense cooperation agreement between the Philippines and the US.

The port call, the US Embassy said, “highlights the strong historic, community, and military connections” between the two countries.

USS Chicago is stationed in Guam and can support various missions including anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface ship warfare, strike, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance.

The submarine is more than 360 feet long and weighs more than 7,000 tonnes when submerged. It is commanded by Cmdr. Lance Thompson and is manned by about 135 sailors. – Ronald Mendoza