Peleliu Visits Subic Bay
By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class (SW/AW) R. David ValdezSUBIC BAY, Republic of the Philippines - Amphibious assault ship USS Peleliu (LHA 5) and the embarked 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) arrived in Subic Bay, Nov. 22 for a port visit to interact with locals.
"Coming to the Philippines is a homecoming for many of our Sailors," said Capt. Mark Cedrun, commanding officer of Peleliu. "There is a tradition of cooperation and friendship between the United States and the Republic of the Philippines, and we appreciate the hospitality the Filipino people provide every time the Navy and Marine Corps visit."
While in Subic Bay, Sailors and Marines will take part in community service projects and during their liberty experience shopping and dinning out in the night life of the Subic Bay Free Port Zone.
"Some of the Sailors and Marines aboard Peleliu remember when Subic Bay was a Navy base," said Command Master Chief Brent Williams. "I’m sure all of us are happy to see the positive changes that were made after the base closed."
Since the closure of Naval Base Subic Bay in 1992, the Republic of the Philippines converted the area into the Subic Bay Freeport Zone, which is the first of its kind in the Philippines.
Subic Bay will be the final liberty port for Peleliu in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility (AOR). Also while in port the local media will have the opportunity to take a guided tour of the ship.
Peleliu completed more than 100 days of operations in the 5th Fleet AOR, supporting humanitarian aid and disaster relief operations in Pakistan, conducting maritime security operations, supporting Operation Enduring Freedom and participating in exercises promoting security and stability with partner nations in the region.
This article was originally published at: http://www.c7f.navy.mil/news/2010/11-November/019.htm
(Posted Nov. 24, 2010)