USS Germantown arriving for Phiblex 2011

MANILA, Philippines - The forward-deployed amphibious dock landing ship USS Germantown (LSD 42) is arriving tomorrow in Subic Bay for the Amphibious Landing Exercise (PHIBLEX) 2011, the US embassy said.

PHIBLEX is a bilateral training exercise of members of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, Essex Amphibious Ready Group, and units of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

It is designed to improve inter-operability of forces and operational readiness through exercises such as peacekeeping operations and humanitarian assistance missions through high-intensity combat.

“The US and the Philippines have had a long standing relationship for many years,” said Capt. Bradley Lee, commodore of Amphibious Squadron 11.

“Our participation in PHIBLEX will demonstrate our commitment to mutual security and our long-time partnership with the Republic of the Philippines,” Lee added.

The Essex Amphibious Ready Group consists of the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2), the amphibious transport dock ship USS Denver (LPD 9), and USS Germantown.