US CARRIER RONALD REAGAN MAKES PORT CALL

The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan, carrying dozens of fighter jets, helicopters, spy planes and over 5,000 personnel, dropped anchor in Manila Bay on Friday to show presence in a region where tensions are ratcheting up.

(See photos on A6)

The visit marked the first time the Nimitz-class supercarrier made a port call since 2019. The last US carrier to dock in Manila was the USS Abraham Lincoln in March.

The Ronald Reagan had just come from exercises with South Korea and Japan near the Korean Peninsula following North Korea’s missile launches and arrived on the last day of a 10-day exercise between the Philippine and US marines.

On Tuesday, the Philippine Navy also started a week-long naval exercise with the United States and Australia, called Maritime Training Activity Sama-Sama Lumbas. Japan, France, the United Kingdom, Brunei, Canada and Malaysia joined as observers.

Credible combat capability

“Port visits like these are key opportunities for us not only to demonstrate America’s unquestionable resolve to our allies and partners in the region but for building those relationships that are founded in trust in our credible combat capability and shared values between our people,” said Rear Adm. Michael Donnelly, commander of the Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group.

“The waters of the Indo-Pacific are dynamic and challenging environment to navigate, and we are fortunate to work with friends, partners and allies in the Philippines to achieve our mutual security goals,” said US Ambassador Mary Kay Carlson, who visited the aircraft carrier.

Assistant Foreign Secretary Gunther Sales said President Marcos welcomed the aircraft carrier’s visit and Washington’s presence in the region.

“Our defense and security engagement remains a key pillar of Philippines and US relations ... We welcome this visit of the USS Ronald Reagan along with similar [freedom of navigation operations] and related exercises as a testament to our joint commitment to keeping the South China Sea as a sea of peace, stability and security,” he said.

R&R for crew

Sailors from the Ronald Reagan, 10 percent of whom are ethnic Filipinos, are expected to get some rest and relaxation in Manila over the next few days.

Singapore-based maritime security expert Collin Koh from the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies said US presence near the Korean Peninsula and Southeast Asia was likely aimed at signaling “the importance of exerting military presence ... and perhaps nothing mobile can be visible as a supercarrier.”