Aircraft carrier arriving today

Business World, Tuesday, August 11, 2009, page 2

THE US aircraft carrier USS
George Washington will be arriving
in Manila today for a five-day
goodwill visit.
In a text message to reporters
yesterday, Philippine Navy
spokesman Lt. Col. Edgard A.
Arevalo said the carrier's officers
and crew headed by Capt. David
Lausman will take part in humanitarian
efforts such as community
development projects and
outreach programs in 10
barangays.
Navy flag Officer in Command
Vice Admiral Ferdinand
Golez said in the text message:
"We are eager to embark on the
many worthwhile endeavors lined
up for this visit. This is one of the
opportunities when your navy
goes in partnership with brother
navies from around the world in
civic action and community relations
projects:' he said.
Named after the first US president,
the George Washington, which will depart on Aug. 15,
is of the Nimitz class of nuclear-powered
super carriers and is under
the US Navy's Seventh Fleet
based in Japan. The fleet was formerly
based in Subic.

Navy to welcome visiting US aircraft carrier

Daily Tribune, Tuesday, August 11, 2009, page 3

By: Marlo J. Mallari

The Philippine Navy is set to welcome today the arrival of United States
aircraft carrier USS George Washingtonin Manila for a five-day goodwill visit to
the country.
Navy spokesman Lt. Col. Edgard Arevalo said officers and crew members
of the US aircraft carrier would be undertaking community development projects.
outreach and sports programs and other humanitarian missions during their
brief stay in the country.
The USS George Washington, which will be in Manila until Saturday.is under the
command of Capt. David Lausman.
Arevalo said the joint community development programs are scheduled in at
least 10 barangays (villages).
"We are eager to embark on the many worthwhile endeavors lined up for this
visit. This is one of those opportunities that your Navy does in partnership with
brother navies from around the world in civic action and community relations
projects." Navy Flag-Officer-in-Command Vite Admiral Ferdinand Golez told
newsmen in a briefing.
US Navy Rear Admiral Kevin Donegan, US Task Force 70 commander and
head of the US delegation, will make a traditional courtesy call on Golez upon
arrival which will be followed by a professional exchange between the officers of
the two Navies.
"The days following shall see both navies busy with Filipino veterans and
elementary school children's welfare projects, among many other endeavors,"
Arevalo said.

USS George Washington arrives in RP today

THE PHILIPPINE STAR, TUESDAY, AUGUST 11, 2009, page 14

By JAMES MANANGHAYA

US aircraft carrier USS
George Washington is set to arrive
in the country today for a
five-day goodwill visit, the
Philippine Navy said yesterday.
Lt. Col Edgard Arevalo,
Navy spokesman said. the
ship's crew would participate
in various community development
projects, mostly for
Filipino veterans and school
children.
Arevalo said projects lined
up include the improvement
of facilities at the Veterans Memorial
Medical Center in Quezon
City, as well as repair and
painting of several elementary
schools in Metro Manda.
"After a traditional courtesy
call by Rear Admiral Kevin
Donegan, head of the entire
delegation and chief of Task
Force 70 to Navy chief Vice
Admiral Ferdinand Golez, the
activity kicks off with the professional
exchange between the officers of the two Navies,"
he said.
The vessel is the fourth US Navy to be named after
George Washington, the first US President.
The ship has more than 3,000 officers and sailors.
Its skipper is Commander David Alan Lausman.
The visit came several months after the USS Blue Ridge's
own port call in the Philippines, during which its crew
took part in several humanitarian projects,
Arevalo allayed fears that
the vessel could be bringing in
nuclear weapons when it enters Philippine territory
saying they expect the US to comply
with the provisions of the
Constitution on nuclear armaments.
"The US government neither
confirms nor denies that
the USS Washington is carrying
nuclear weapon, but we
are inclined to believe that
they know the provisions of
our laws and that we are
counting on mutual trust," he
said.
The Constitution prohibits
the entry of foreign vessels
that carry nuclear arms. The
Department of Foreign Affairs
said the entry of the vessel
does not violate the Constitution
because it is only an aircraft
carrier that runs on nuclear
power.
Just a week ago, President
Arroyo met with US President
Barack Obama in Washington
to discuss, among others, mutual
security concerns.

RP Navy ·welcomes US carrier

Manila Bulletin, Tuesday, August 11, 2009, page 12

By: ELENA L. ABEN

The Philippine Navy, led by its
Flag Officer-in-Command (FOIC),
Vice Admiral Ferdinand Golez, will
meet with their American counterparts
as the aircraft carrier USS
George Washington arrives today in
Manila for a five-day goodwill visit to
the country. ,
Navy spokesman, Lt. Col. Edgard
Arevalo said officers and crew of the
USS Navy aircraft carrier headed by
Capt. David Lausman will participate
in community development projects,
which will include a 10 barangay
outreach program, sports events, and
other humanitarian pursuits.
"We are eager to embark on the
many worthwhile endeavors lined-up
for this visit," said Golez. "This is
one of those opportunities that our
navy goes in partnership with brother
navies from around the world in civic
action and community relations projects,"
he added.
Arevalo said after a traditional
courtesy call by the head of the entire
delegation and Commander, Task
Force 70, Rear Admiral Kevin Donegan
of the US Navy with the Philippine
Navy FOIC, the activity kicks off with
the professional exchange between
the officers of the two navies.
"The days following shall see both
navies busy with Filipino veterans
and elementary school children's
welfare projects, among many other
endeavors," Arevalo added.
USS Washington is set to leave
Manila on Saturday, Aug. 15.