2 US Warships Arriving In PH

Two United States (US) warships – a nuclear-powered attack submarine and an Arleigh-Burke class destroyer, are scheduled to arrive Saturday in Subic Bay and Cebu for separate port calls, the US Embassy said yesterday.

The USS Bremerton (SSN 698), a submarine of the Los Angeles class design, will dock in Subic Bay, while the USS Gridley (DDG-101), an Arleigh-Burke class destroyer, will drop anchor in Cebu.

The USS Bremerton is named in honor of the city of Bremerton, Washington, home to Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, and a city with a long association with the US Navy.

She is the tenth ship of the Los Angeles class design. Her keel was laid in Connecticut in May, 1976.

The USS Gridley, on the other hand, is part of the US Pacific Fleet and is homeported in San Diego, California.

The ship is named for Captain Charles Gridley, commander of the USS Olympia who was famously told by Admiral George Dewey to “fire when you are ready, Gridley” in the Battle of Manila Bay during the Spanish-American War.

A statement released by the US Embassy said the routine port call of the two vessels highlights the strong historic, community, and military connections between the United States and the Republic of the Philippines.

This visit will also allow the ship to replenish supplies as well as give the crew an opportunity for rest and relaxation.-Black Pearl (December 29, 2012)