Posted on 03/19/2016 11:52:12 PM PDT by JPX2011
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States and the Philippines have agreed on five locations for U.S. military facilities in the Philippines under a security deal agreed amid rising tensions with China, a senior U.S. official said on Friday.
U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Amy Searight said the deal was reached under the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) signed last year that grants Washington increased military presence in its former colony through rotation of ships and planes for humanitarian and maritime security operations.
Searight told the opening of the annual U.S.-Philippines Bilateral Strategic Dialogue in Washington that Manila was a “critical U.S. ally” and ties had never been stronger.
She did not detail the locations but said U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter would visit the Philippines in April to discuss implementation of the agreement.
(Excerpt) Read more at businessinsider.com ...
Gee....I wonder how much money the PI agreed to pay the US for defending it....
Someone can correct me if I’m wrong, but the Philippines is in the middle of a re-utilization plan for both Clark and Subic Bay. There might be a hanger or two still around for US use, but I think this is simply a runway usage or bay usage deal....with US money pouring in for some renovation deal. They may miss the massive amount of money that the US poured into the country back in the 1970s and 1980s...but nothing is going back to that status.
Having visited the Palawan islands I’d volunteer for that duty. Beautiful water, great diving. I wondered if any PT boats were stationed there in the numerous hidden coves.
I say leave the unappreciative assholes to fend for themselves!
At the very least make them PAY to have US back!
What happened to all those folks who wanted us out? Afraid now of the latest Qing Dynasty?
I think you’re right. The article goes on to say, “$50 million for maritime security to include upgraded radar installation sites, etc.”
Doesn’t sound like there will be any actual deployments, basing rights, etc. But we’ll see.
Appreciate your insight.
http://thediplomat.com/2016/03/a-big-deal-us-philippines-agree-first-bases-under-new-defense-pact/
Awesome! Thanks for the additional info.
I’d guess Clark, Subic, San Miguel (radar assistance) and two others. A bunch of AF and Navy guys are going to grow new smiles!
Aircraft in Clark can cover the entire South China Sea with strike capability.
According to that link, all five will be co-bases; no Clark or Subic. But for those who were there have our memories.
Clark was destroyed by the Mount Pinatubo eruption and abandoned by the USAF. Subic & Cubi badly damaged,, but put back in operation. Wonder if the agreement will include either.
I live in the Philippines and we will share Philippine military installations with them.
No US bases and from understanding we will be guests.
My understand we will only be guests.
Clark is now a commercial airport although they allow limited "Space A Flights". Subic and Cubi are commercial but the the Navy does visit there from time to time.
Problem with that is we would need PI govt permission to stage combat operations...
What USA companies will benefit from this new development (new to me anyway)? Not just the Lockheeds, the Grummans or Boeing, but I bet some smaller, less well known companies needed to ‘set up shop’ and maintain these facilities.
I bet Grandpa Warren and the rest of the crony capitalists already have a position in most of these companies.
As I recall, they didn't actually want us out. The wanted us to pay some fantastic annual amount and we called their bluff.
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