In a statement, the US embassy said “the visit highlights the strong partnership between the United States and the Republic of the Philippines and gives the crew an opportunity to meet the local community living in the Subic area.”
“It also demonstrates the U.S. Navy’s commitment to regional stability and maritime security in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations,” the embassy said.
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, surface warfare and mine warfare.
The embassy said “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.”
Bremerton commanding officer Travis Zettel said “Bremerton’s arrival into Subic Bay means a lot to both my crew and the U.S. submarine force.”
“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 noted.
The embassy 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 quoted Machinist’s Mate 3rd Class Christopher Gapasin, who lived in the Philippines for six years and has relatives in the area, as saying, “It really means a lot to me that I get the chance to visit a number of my family members again.”
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.
