The USS Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group, comprising the aircraft carrier and two cruisers, has docked in Manila, Philippines.
The visit underscores the strong ties between the US Navy and the Philippines as they work together to maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific.
The USS Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group returned to the Philippines with its arrival in Manila on 28 October. The visit is part of a scheduled port call.
The aircraft carrier, USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), accompanied by the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruisers USS Robert Smalls (CG 62) and USS Antietam (CG 54), is part of Carrier Strike Group 5 (CSG 5), which also includes squadrons from Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5 and the embarked staff of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15.
While in Manila, personnel from the carrier strike group will be able to continue building personal and professional relationships within the Philippines. This will include engagements aboard the USS Ronald Reagan, volunteer work in the community and cultural exchange events, further strengthening the bond between the US Navy and the Filipino people.
The US has provided the Philippines with military aid, training and equipment to help it defend its territorial integrity and maintain regional stability. In recent years, the US and the Philippines have been working together to address regional security challenges, such as territorial disputes in the South China Sea, according to GlobalData's Philippines Defense Market 2023–2028 report.
The Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group's visit marks a return to familiar shores and shows the broader mission of maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific. The strike group is forward-deployed to the US 7th Fleet area of operations, where it plays a role in supporting these principles.
The US 7th Fleet is the largest forward-deployed numbered fleet of the US Navy, and its regular interactions and operations with allies and partners are instrumental in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
The reception and connections built during this visit testify to the enduring cooperation between the US and the Philippines in advancing shared regional security and stability.
On 24 August 2023, a quadrilateral exercise occurred in Manila, Philippines, involving naval vessels from the US, Australia, Japan and the Philippines.
