USS Guardian (MCM-5), an Avenger-class mine countermeasures ship, is the second U.S. Navy ship of that name. Guardian was laid down on 8 May 1985 by the Peterson Builders Inc., Sturgeon Bay, Wisc.; launched on 20 June 1987; and commissioned on 16 December 1989.
The United States has sent another battleship to the country. The anti-mine vessel is expected to arrive in the Philippines on Sunday, the US Embassy in Manila said in statement released Saturday.
"[The] USS Guardian (MCM-5), a U.S. Navy Avenger-class mine countermeasures ship, will arrive in Subic Bay on Sunday, January 13, for a routine fuel stop. This visit will allow the ship to replenish supplies as well as give the crew an opportunity for rest and relaxation. After an overnight visit in Subic, the ship will proceed to Puerto Princesa for another brief visit," the embassy said.
It added: "The USS Guardian is assigned to the U.S. Navy's 7th Fleet and is forward-deployed to Sasebo, Japan. Her crew of around 80 officers and enlisted personnel includes eight Filipino-Americans. Notably, the ship's highest ranking Enlisted Sailor on board is a Filipino-American originally from Olongapo City."
U.S. battleships have been a common sight in the Philippines since last year after China renewed its aggressive claims over the Spratly Islands in the West Philippine Sea.
Other countries such as Vietnam, Taiwan, Brunei and Malaysia also partly claim portions of the Spratlys.
China and the Philippines are also in dispute over Panatag (Scarborough) Shoal about 198 kilometers west of Subic Bay. (http://bit.ly/RLMiir)
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