131015-N-TG831-122 EAST CHINA SEA (Oct. 15, 2013) The Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Antietam (CG 54) plows through heavy seas and high winds. Antietam is on patrol with the George Washington Carrier Strike Group in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility supporting security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Declan Barnes/Released)
130926-N-TX154-581PHILIPPINE SEA (Sept. 26, 2013) An SH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter from the Island Knights of Helicopter Combat Support Squadron (HSC) 25 delivers supplies to the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Preble (DDG 88) during an underway replenishment with the Military Sealift Command dry cargo and ammunition ship USNS Charles Drew (T-AKE 10). Preble is on patrol with the George Washington Carrier Strike Group in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility supporting security and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Paul Kelly/Released)
Under operational control of Commander Submarine Group 7 (Guam), the USS Emory S. Land (AS-39) was previously forward deployed to Diego Garcia in support of Fifth Fleet operations. The move to Subic Bay and Seventh Fleet’s area of operations represents a refocus of US naval strength in the anticipated post-Afghanistan era.
The US Navy’s return to Subic Bay seems fully supported by the Philippines government. In addition to providing a home to visiting US Navy vessels, Subic Bay could prove to be an idea location for basing forward deployed the new littoral combat ships that are now entering the fleet.
130821-N-GL207-068 SUBIC BAY, Republic of the Philippines (Aug. 21, 2013) The submarine tender USS Emory S. Land (AS 39) moors pier side in Subic Bay. Home ported in Diego Garcia, Emory S. Land is forward deployed conducting coordinated tended moorings and afloat maintenance in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Andrew Lavin/Released)
Naval Matters 