After eight visits to the Philippines, the United States’ Los Angeles-class attack submarine USS Bremerton on Thursday made its last and final port of call at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone as part of its routine port visit during its deployment to the Indo-Pacific region.
In a statement released by the US Embassy in Manila, Cmdr. Travis Zettel, commanding officer of USS Bremerton, said that the visit highlights the strong partnership between the US and the Philippines and gives the crew an opportunity to meet the local community living in the Subic area.
Zettel added that it also demonstrates the US Navy’s commitment to regional stability and maritime security in the US 7th Fleet area of operations.
“Bremerton’s arrival into Subic Bay means a lot to both my crew and the U.S. submarine force,” the commanding officer said.
“This is Bremerton’s ninth and final visit to Subic Bay in the ship’s 37 year history. My crew and I are looking forward to the opportunity to engage with the local community while simultaneously preparing the ship for the remainder of our deployment,” he said.
A number of the sailors aboard Bremerton have family from the Philippines and through this visit have the chance to better connect with their heritage.
“It really means a lot to me that I get the chance to visit a number of my family members again,” said Machinist’s Mate 3rd Class Christopher Gapasin, who lived in the Philippines for six years and has relatives in the area.
Bremerton’s crew of 150 sailors regularly conducts a variety of missions to maintain proficiency in the latest submarine fleet capabilities. Its stealth, mobility, endurance and firepower allow Bremerton to work independently or in conjunction with a carrier strike group.
Measuring more than 300 feet long and weighing more than 6,000 tons when submerged, Bremerton is capable of supporting a multitude of missions, including anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare and mine warfare.
Bremerton, the oldest commissioned submarine in the U.S. Navy, is currently homeported in Pearl Harbor. Later this year, Bremerton will move to its namesake city, Bremerton, Washington, where it will be decommissioned after nearly 40 years of naval service.