US helicopter carrier to West Philippine Sea

A US helicopter carrier carrying 2,200 US Marines is headed for the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) from Guam for scheduled joint exercises with the Philippine Marines this month.

The USS Bonhomme Richard, an amphibious assault ship, recently joined the carrier strike group USS George Washington that has begun operating in the Asia-Pacific region, more particularly in the East China Sea. The US Marine air-ground task force is expected to link up with 1,200 Filipino troops for this year’s joint Phiblex (amphibious exercises) scheduled in Palawan and in Zambales.

Filipino and US officials said the exercises are aimed at further developing inter-operability between Filipino and American troops.