U.S. NAVY SHIPS SHIPS THAT SUPPORTED THE ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES DURING THE TYPHOON FRANK DISASTER RELIEF OPERATIONS IN ILOILO

USS RONALD REAGAN The largest and newest of the Nimitz-class aircraft carriers with about 6,000 personnel and 85 aircraft Official file photo of the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76)

080626-N-5961C-001 PACIFIC OCEAN (June 26, 2008) A helicopter assigned to Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS) 4 and its crew prepare for another day of humanitarian relief for the Republic of the Philippines aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). At the request of the government of the Republic of the Philippines, Ronald Reagan is off the coast of Panay Island providing humanitarian assistance and disaster response in the wake of Typhoon Fengshen. Ronald Reagan and other U.S. Navy ships are operating in the 7th Fleet area of responsibility to promote peace, cooperation and stability. U.S. Navy photo by Senior Chief Mass Communication Specialist Spike Call

080630-N-4009P-635 SULU SEA (June 30, 2008) As the jet blast deflectors retracts, flight deck personnel get ready to hook up the next aircraft on catapult 2, seconds after an F/A-18 jet is catapulted off the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). As humanitarian efforts for the people of the Republic of the Philippines continued throughout the day, Ronald Reagan also conducted routine flight operations. At the request of the government of the Republic of the Philippines, Ronald Reagan is off the coast of Panay Island providing humanitarian assistance and disaster response in the wake of Typhoon Fengshen. Ronald Reagan and other U.S. Navy ships are operating in the 7th Fleet area of responsibility to promote peace, cooperation and stability. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Joe Painter

080630-N-4009P-693 SULU SEA (June 30, 2008) Flight deck personnel push back an F/A-18C Hornet assigned to the "Fist of the Fleet" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 25 aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). The Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group is off the coast of Panay Island in the Philippines providing humanitarian assistance and disaster response in the wake of Typhoon Fengshen. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Joe Painter

080701-N-5961C-004 SULU SEA (July 1, 2008) An SH-60F Seahawk flies off in the distance as crewmen and maintenance crews assigned to Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS) 4 prepare a second helicopter for launch from the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) during humanitarian operations on Panay Island, Philippines. The region was hard-hit by Typhoon Fengshen and the "Black Knights" have been flying seven straight days delivering supplies to remote locations on the island. U.S. Navy photo by Senior Chief Mass Communication Specialist Spike Call

080630-N-3659B-086 SULU SEA (June 30, 2008) Flight deck personnel stand by as last minute maintenance is performed on an SH-60F Seahawk assigned to the "Black Knights" of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS) 4 on the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). The "Black Knights" have been a key part of the recent relief efforts for the typhoon that struck the Republic of the Philippines, moving both personnel and supplies wherever and whenever needed. At the request of the government of the Republic of the Philippines, Ronald Reagan is off the coast of Panay Island providing humanitarian assistance and disaster response in the wake of Typhoon Fengshen. Ronald Reagan and other U.S. Navy ships are operating in the 7th Fleet area of responsibility to promote peace, cooperation and stability. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Joseph M. Buliavac

080625-N-4005H-054 PACIFIC OCEAN (June 25, 2008) Sailors load cases of water bound for the Philippines onto an HH-60H helicopter assigned to the "Black Knights" of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS) 4 on the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). Ronald Reagan sent 12,000 bottles of water and 7,500 pounds of Rice to the Philippines supporting disaster relief efforts. The Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group is support the government of the Republic of the Philippines to help provide humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to the victims of Typhoon Fengshen. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Aaron Holt

080630-N-5961C-002 SULU SEA (June 30, 2008) The aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) steams off the coast of the Philippine Island of Panay preparing to launch helicopters assigned to the "Black Knights" of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS) 4 to deliver food and water to remote locations hardest hit by Typhoon Fengshen. U.S. Navy photo by Senior Chief Mass Communication Specialist Spike Call

080706-N-5961C-002 PACIFIC OCEAN (July 6, 2008) The aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) and Carrier Air Wing 14 (CVW 14) begin their transit into Agana Harbor for a port call on Guam after working off the coast of the Philippines in the wake of Typhoon Fengshen. The Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group is on a routine deployment in the 7th Fleet area of responsibility. U.S. Navy photo by Senior Chief Mass Communication Specialist Spike Call

USS THACH 080630-N-5961C-016 ILOILO, Sulu Sea (June 30, 2008) The guided-missile frigate USS Thach (FFG 43) steams in the Sulu Sea as part of the Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group. The frigate is on station to refuel helicopters that have been air-lifting food and water to remote locations on the Philippine Island of Panay. U.S. Navy photo by Senior Chief Mass Communication Specialist Spike Call

080630-N-5961C-015 SULU SEA (June 30, 2008) The guided-missile frigate steams near the Philippine Islands during humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts in the wake of Typhoon Fengshen. Thach is at the ready to refuel helicopters which have been air-lifting food and water to remote locations on Panay Island. U.S. Navy photo by Senior Chief Mass Communication Specialist Spike Call

USNS NIAGARA FALLS 080629-N-5961C-008 PACIFIC (June 29, 2008) Super PUMA helicopters fly much needed bottled water to Kalibo, Republic of the Philippines from the deck of the Military Sealift Command combat stores ship USNS Niagara Falls (T-AFS 3) in the wake of Typhoon Fengshen. At the request of the government of the Republic of the Philippines, USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) and elements of her Carrier Strike Group (CSG) are off the coast of Panay Island providing humanitarian assistance and disaster response in the wake of Typhoon Fengshen. Reagan and other U.S. Navy ships are operating in the 7th Fleet area of responsibility to promote peace, cooperation and stability. U.S. Navy photo by Senior Chief Mass Communication Specialist Spike Call

080629-N-5961C-013 PACIFIC (June 29, 2008) A HH-60H Seahawk helicopter from Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS) 4 lifts another pallet of bottled water from the deck of Military Sealift Command combat stores ship USNS Niagara Falls (T-AFS 3) for delivery to Kalibo, Republic of the Philippines. Kalibo is on the northern tip of Panay Island and was hit hard by the typhoon. At the request of the government of the Republic of the Philippines, USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) and elements of her Carrier Strike Group (CSG) are off the coast of Panay Island providing humanitarian assistance and disaster response in the wake of Typhoon Fengshen. Reagan and other U.S. Navy ships are operating in the 7th Fleet area of responsibility to promote peace, cooperation and stability. U.S. Navy photo by Senior Chief Mass Communication Specialist Spike Call

080629-N-5961C-009 PACIFIC (June 29, 2008) A HH-60H Seahawk helicopter from Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS) 4 lifts another pallet of bottled water from the deck of Military Sealift Command combat stores ship USNS Niagara Falls (T-AFS 3) for delivery to Kalibo, Republic of the Philippines. Kalibo is on the northern tip of Panay Island and was hit hard by the typhoon. At the request of the government of the Republic of the Philippines, USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) and elements of her Carrier Strike Group (CSG) are off the coast of Panay Island providing humanitarian assistance and disaster response in the wake of Typhoon Fengshen. Reagan and other U.S. Navy ships are operating in the 7th Fleet area of responsibility to promote peace, cooperation and stability. U.S. Navy photo by Senior Chief Mass Communication Specialist Spike Call

080629-N-5961C-007 PACIFIC (June 29, 2008) Super PUMA helicopters fly much needed bottled water to Kalibo, Republic of the Philippines from the deck of the Military Sealift Command combat stores ship USNS Niagara Falls (T-AFS 3) in the wake of Typhoon Fengshen. At the request of the government of the Republic of the Philippines, USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) and elements of her Carrier Strike Group (CSG) are off the coast of Panay Island providing humanitarian assistance and disaster response in the wake of Typhoon Fengshen. Reagan and other U.S. Navy ships are operating in the 7th Fleet area of responsibility to promote peace, cooperation and stability. U.S. Navy photo by Senior Chief Mass Communication Specialist Spike Call

080629-N-5961C-010 PACIFIC (June 29, 2008) A HH-60H Seahawk helicopter from Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS) 4 transports another pallet of bottled water from the deck of Military Sealift Command combat stores ship USNS Niagara Falls (T-AFS 3) for delivery to Kalibo, Republic of the Philippines. Kalibo is on the northern tip of Panay Island and was hit hard by the typhoon. At the request of the government of the Republic of the Philippines, USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) and elements of her Carrier Strike Group (CSG) are off the coast of Panay Island providing humanitarian assistance and disaster response in the wake of Typhoon Fengshen. Reagan and other U.S. Navy ships are operating in the 7th Fleet area of responsibility to promote peace, cooperation and stability. U.S. Navy photo by Senior Chief Mass Communication Specialist Spike Call

080629-N-5961C-016 PACIFIC (June 29, 2008) A HH-60H Seahawk helicopter from Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS) 4 lifts another pallet of bottled water from the deck of Military Sealift Command combat stores ship USNS Niagara Falls (T-AFS 3) for delivery to Kalibo, Republic of the Philippines. Kalibo is on the northern tip of Panay Island and was hit hard by the typhoon. At the request of the government of the Republic of the Philippines, USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) and elements of her Carrier Strike Group (CSG) are off the coast of Panay Island providing humanitarian assistance and disaster response in the wake of Typhoon Fengshen. Reagan and other U.S. Navy ships are operating in the 7th Fleet area of responsibility to promote peace, cooperation and stability. U.S. Navy photo by Senior Chief Mass Communication Specialist Spike Call

USS CHANCELLORSVILLE 051209-N-3488C-003 - File photo of the guided-missile cruiser USS Chancellorsville (CG 62) U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Airman Jonathan D. Chandler

USS HOWARD 040331-N-6213R-020 - File photo of the guided missile destroyer USS Howard (DDG 83) U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Mark J. Rebilas

080626-N-4009P-364 PHILIPPINES (June 26, 2008) Aviation Warfare Systems Operator 2nd Class Anthony Chavez, of San Bernardino, Calif., looks out from an SH-60F Seahawk assigned to the "Black Knights" of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS) 4 onto the weather deck of the Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Howard (DDG 83) as it prepares to refuel and continue delivering food and water to devastated areas in the Republic of the Philippines caused by Typhoon Fengshen. The supplies are being delivered from the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). At the request of the government of the Republic of the Philippines, Ronald Reagan is off the coast of Panay Island providing humanitarian assistance and disaster response. Ronald Reagan and other U.S. Navy ships are operating in the 7th Fleet area of responsibility to promote peace, cooperation and stability. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Joe Painter

USS GRIDLEY 080519-N-4658L-115 - File photo of the guided-missile destroyer USS Gridley (DDG 101) U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Mark A. Leonesio

080413-N-1635S-004 - File photo of the guided-missile destroyer USS Gridley (DDG 101) followed by the guided-missile frigate USS Thach (FFG 43) U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Joshua Scott

U.S. NAVY SHIPS ON STATION TO SUPPORT ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES Story Number: NNS080625-14 Release Date: 6/25/2008 9:38:00 PM By Lt. Ron Flanders, Carrier Strike Group 7 Public Affairs ILOILO, Republic of the Philippines (NNS) -- USS Ronald Reagan and other U.S. Navy ships arrived on station near the central Philippine island of Panay June 25 to join the humanitarian assistance mission being led by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in the wake of damage caused by Typhoon Fengshen. Rear Adm. Phil Wisecup, commander of the Navy ships, arrived on shore to meet with Lt. Gen. Ike Inserto, commander of AFP's Central Command, and other senior Philippine officers running the humanitarian assistance operation. Inserto and his senior commanders assessed the capabilities of the carrier and requested that the U.S. ships provide helicopter support to assist in delivering supplies to remote areas devastated by the typhoon. A Philippine Air Force C-130 cargo plane arrived at Iloilo's Cabatuan airport loaded with food supplies. Two C-2A Greyhound carrier onboard delivery (COD) aircraft, two HH-60H Seahawk helicopters and one SH-60F Seahawk helicopter flying from USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) delivered more than 12,000 bottles of fresh water and more than 7,500 lbs. of rice to the airport. Helicopters from the Navy ships are standing by to deliver these supplies to outlying areas in Panay as directed by the AFP. "We are here to support the Armed Forces of the Philippines," said Wisecup. "We feel a deep sense of regret for everyone who was affected by this tragedy, and we stand ready to support the AFP with anything we can do to help their efforts." The ships on station in the Sulu Sea include the Nimitz-class nuclear aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76); embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 14; the guided-missile cruiser USS Chancellorsville (CG 62); and three ships of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7; the guided-missile destroyers USS Howard (DDG 83) and USS Gridley (DDG 101) and the guided-missile frigate USS Thach (FFG 43). Also providing assistance to the AFP in their efforts are the maritime prepositioning ship USNS Gunnery Sgt. Frank Stockham (T-AK 3017) and the rescue and salvage ship USNS Safeguard (T-ARS 50), which have been assisting in the recovery operations of the sunken ferry Princess of the Stars. Onboard the aircraft carrier Ronald Reagan, dozens of Sailors rapidly assembled into working parties and loaded the aircraft with water and rice once the AFP requested more supplies. "Our Sailors are very eager to participate in this mission," said Capt. Kenneth Norton, Ronald Reagan's commanding officer. "We're here to help our friends in time of need."