US ship arrives in Subic on goodwill visit

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT – The USS Juneau (LPD 10), an Austin-class amphibious transport ship, will be arriving here today (Feb. 23) for a scheduled port visit and a series of goodwill activities in Olongapo City and the rest of Zambales province.

Capt. Burrell Parmer, public affairs officer of the United States Marines’ 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, said more than 600 American sailors and marines will participate in civil-military projects like free medical and dental clinics for indigent patients.

"The visiting servicemen will also deliver Project Handclasp materials and items donated by US Marine and Navy families in Okinawa, Japan," Parmer told The STAR.

The visit, Burrell also said, is being made possible by the cooperation of the US Navy’s 7th Fleet and the US Embassy in Manila.

The arrival of the USS Juneau will be marked by the appearance of marines and sailors manning the rails in full dress uniform. Parmer said this "has not been done in a long time."

"I believe it would be something interesting for your audiences to see," he added.

The USS Juneau will pull into dock at 9:30 a.m. today at the Alava Pier of the Subic Bay Freeport to implement "Project Friendship," which is part of ongoing humanitarian programs by the US 7th Fleet covering community relations projects for and with schools, orphanages and barangays.

While in Subic, the crew of the USS Juneau and Marines from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) will participate in two-day community refurbishment projects – including the painting and cleaning of a local school, donating goods for charity organizations, and hosting a basketball clinic for local children.

Project Handclasp is a US charity that collects donations that are loaded aboard Navy ships for worldwide delivery.

After arrival, the senior officers on board the USS Juneau will conduct a media briefing at 11 a.m., followed by a ship tour for schoolchildren at 12 noon.

Parmer said the schoolchildren will be allowed to see a static display of the equipment aboard the ship, an amphibious transport dock ship under the US Navy’s Task Force 76. – Bebot Sison Jr., Ric Sapnu