2 US Navy ships to dock in Subic

OLONGAPO CITY, Philippines - Two US navy ships are expected to dock in Subic Freeport today with more than 3,000 US navy personnel on board.

USS New Boxer is a sixth USS Boxer (LHD-4) and is a Wasp-class amphibious assault ship of the United States Navy whit an estimated crew of 2,400 while the USS New Orleans (LPD-18) is a San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock with an estimated crew of 1000.

The US Embassy in Manila has yet to issue a statement about the arrival and purpose of the ships here.

The two US ships will be joining the USS Emory S Land in Subic, which has been docked  here for a few weeks already.

Navy personnel from the USS Emory S Land have been conducting regular community relation activities in Olongapo City and have  scheduled a basketball game with Olongapo City Mayor Rolen Paulino and his staff.

Paulino had announced earlier that he welcomes the Americans back in the city as this would help in good community relations and would also boost the local economy.

The two US Navy ships will stay in Subic until Friday.