BRP Gregorio del Pilar (PF-15)

The Philippine navy frigate BRP Gregorio del Pilar (PF-15) transits the Pearl Harbor channel after a scheduled port visit to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. Gregorio del Pilar is a former U.S. Coast Guard cutter and is the newest addition to the Philippine navy. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Mark Logico/Released)

BRP Gregorio del Pilar (PF-15)

The Philippine Navy's newest ship, BRP Gregorio del Pilar (PF-15), arrives at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam during a scheduled port visit. The ship, a former U.S. Coast Guard cutter, is on its maiden voyage to the Republic of the Philippines to join the Philippine Navy Fleet. As a multi-mission surface combatant ship, Gregorio del Pilar becomes the first gas-turbine jet engine-powered vessel in the Philippine Navy fleet. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Mark Logico/Released)

BRP Gregorio del Pilar (PF 15)

The Philippine navy's newest multi-mission surface combatant ship, BRP Gregorio del Pilar (PF 15), arrives at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam during a scheduled port visit. Gregorio del Pilar, a former U.S. Coast Guard cutter, is on its maiden voyage to the Repubic of the Philippines to join the Philippine Navy fleet. Gregorio del Pilar is the first gas-turbine jet engine-powered vessel in the Philippine Navy fleet. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Dustin W. Sisco/Released)

BRP Apolinario Mabini (PS 36)

Republic of the Philippines Navy ship BRP Apolinario Mabini (PS 36) steams in formation during exercise Balikatan 2010 (BK 10). Essex, commanded by Capt. Troy Hart, is part of the forward-deployed Essex Amphibious Ready Group and is participating in BK 10, an annual, bilateral exercise designed to improve interoperability between the U.S. and Republic of the Philippines. (Photo: U.S. Navy/Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Mark R. Alvarez/Released)

BRP Apolinario Mabini (PS 36)

A visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) team from the Philippine Navy makes its way to the amphibious dock landing ship USS Tortuga (LSD 46) from the corvette Apolinario Mabini (PS 36) to carry out a boarding exercise. The boarding was a part of Southeast Asia Cooperation Against Terrorism (SEACAT) 2006, a week long at-sea exercise designed to highlight the value of information sharing and multi-national coordination within a scenario that gives participating navies practical maritime interception training opportunities. (Photo: U.S. Navy/Photographer's Mate 2nd Class John L. Beeman)

BRP Bacolod City (LC-550 )

Philippine Navy LC-550 BRP Bacolod City May 17, 2006 at Keppel Batangas Shipyard, Philippines. (Photo: Edison K. Sy)

BRP Artemio Ricarte (BPS-37)

BRP Artemio Ricarte. (Photo: Azkals)

BRP Rajah Humabon (PF 11)

The Armed Forces of the Philippines Navy destroyer escort BRP Rajah Humabon (PF 11) steams ahead during an exercise with the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) and the amphibious dock landing ship USS Tortuga (LSD 46), as part of exercise Balikatan 2009 (BK09). Essex and Tortuga are participating in Balikatan 2009, an annual combined, joint-bilateral exercise involving U.S. and Armed Forces of the Philippines personnel, as well as subject matter experts from Philippine civil defense agencies. (Photo: U.S. Navy/Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Greg Johnson/Released)

BRP Leopoldo Regis (PG-847)

The Armed Forces of the Philippines Navy patrol boat BRP Leopoldo Regis (PG-847) maneuvers into position at the head of a formation exercise with the amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) during exercise Balikatan 2009. Leopoldo Regis is participating in Balikatan 2009, an annual combined, joint-bilateral exercise involving U.S. and Armed Forces of the Philippines personnel, as well as subject matter experts from Philippine civil defense agencies. (Photo: U.S. Navy /Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Mark R. Alvarez/Released)

BRP Leopoldo Regis (PG-847)

The Armed Forces of the Philippines Navy patrol boat BRP Leopoldo Regis (PG-847) maneuvers into position at the head of a formation exercise with the amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) during exercise Balikatan 2009. Leopoldo Regis is participating in Balikatan 2009, an annual combined, joint-bilateral exercise involving U.S. and Armed Forces of the Philippines personnel, as well as subject matter experts from Philippine civil defense agencies. (Photo: U.S. Navy/Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Mark R. Alvarez/Released)

BRP Juan Magluyan (PG 392)

The Republic of the Philippine Jose Andrada-class patrol craft BRP Juan Magluyan (PG 392), steams in the South China Sea for bilateral training with the Essex Expeditionary Strike Group as part of the annual bilateral exercise Balikatan 2008, between the Republic of the Philippines and the United States. During the Balikatan 2008 humanitarian assistance and training activities, military service members from the United States and the government of the Republic of the Philippines work together to improve maritime security and ensure humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts are efficient and effective. (Photo: U.S. Navy/Chief Mass Communication Specialist Ty Swartz)

BRP Armenio Ricarte (PS 37)

The Republic of Philippines Tatlong Bayany-class corvette BRP Armenio Ricarte (PS 37) steams in the South China Sea during the annual bilateral exercise Balikatan 2008. During the Balikatan 2008 humanitarian assistance and training activities, military service members from the United States and the government of the Republic of the Philippines are working together to improve maritime security and ensure humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts are efficient and effective. (Photo: U.S. Navy/ Chief Mass Communication Specialist Ty Swartz)

BRP Artemio Ricarte (PS 37)

The Armed Forces of the Philippines Navy patrol boat BRP Artemio Ricarte (PS 37) maneuvers into position in a formation exercise with the amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) during exercise Balikatan 2009. Artemio Ricarte is participating in Balikatan 2009, an annual combined, joint-bilateral exercise involving U.S. and Armed Forces of the Philippines personnel, as well as subject matter experts from Philippine civil defense agencies. (Photo: U.S. Navy/Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Mark R. Alvarez/Released)

BRP Artemio Ricarte (PS 37)

The Armed Forces of the Philippines Navy patrol boat BRP Artemio Ricarte (PS 37) maneuvers into position in a formation exercise with the amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) during exercise Balikatan 2009. Artemio Ricarte is participating in Balikatan 2009, an annual combined, joint-bilateral exercise involving U.S. and Armed Forces of the Philippines personnel, as well as subject matter experts from Philippine civil defense agencies. (Photo:U.S. Navy/Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Mark R. Alvarez/Released)

BRP Dagupan City (LC 551)

The Armed Forces of the Philippines Navy logistics support vessel BRP Dagupan City (LC 551) maneuvers into position in a formation exercise with the amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) during exercise Balikatan 2009. Artemio Ricarte is participating in Balikatan 2009, an annual combined, joint-bilateral exercise involving U.S. and Armed Forces of the Philippines personnel, as well as subject matter experts from Philippine civil defense agencies. (Photo: U.S. Navy/Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Mark R. Alvarez/Released)

BRP Bacolod City (LC 550)

The Republic of Philippines amphibious ship BRP Bacolod City (LC 550) steams ahead of the amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) during navy bilateral training as part of Balikatan 2008. During the Balikatan 2008 humanitarian assistance and training activities, military service members from the United States and the government of the Republic of the Philippines are working together to improve maritime security and ensure humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts are efficient and effective. (Photo: U.S. Navy /Chief Mass Communication Specialist Ty Swartz)