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| The BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PF-16) entering Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Friday morning 12 July 2013. Photo taken from Navy Region Hawaii Facebook page. |
The Philippine Navy frigate BRP Ramon Alcaraz (PF-16) has reached Hawaii on the morning of 12 July 2013 (Honolulu time) and docked at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. This is the second port call for the ship on its travel to the Philippines, with the first port call 2,400 miles away in San Diego Naval Base, California last June 28. The ship was greeted at the pier by the Filipino-American community in Hawaii.
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| PF-16 preparing to dock at Pearl Harbor. Photo taken from Navy Region Hawaii Facebook page. |
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| Filipino-American community in Hawaii awaiting for PF-16 to dock. Photo taken from Navy Region Hawaii Facebook page. |
During her stay in Hawaii, the ship will be refueled, re-provisioned and re-supplied as confirmed by the Philippine Navy. The ship will be open to US Department of Defense (DOD) cardholders during the weekend 13-14 July 2013 from 9:00am to 5:00pm. The ship is also expected to be opened to the Filipino-American community, and the ship's crew are scheduled to participate in social activities prepared by the local community.
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| Top: The ship's crew receiving welcome flower necklace (Lei) from the Fil-Am community. Mid: Ship's crew marching to formation with a Fil-Am carrying the Philippine flag in the foreground. Bottom: PF-16's crew in formation after receiving leis from the Fil-Am community. Photos taken from Navy Region Hawaii Facebook page. |
She will be staying in Hawaii for a few days before continuing her journey to her scheduled 3rd port call in Guam before finally heading to Manila and arrive by early August 2013.
MaxDefense will update you on the ship's activities in Hawaii and its journey to the Philippines.
Is there missile on board?
ReplyDeleteNone yet.
DeleteFrom http://ruelbaby.blogspot.com/2013_05_01_archive.html
Delete"Lt. Cmdr. Gregory Fabic, the PN spokesman, said the ASW capability will be installed on the Alcaraz and a helicopter that will be assigned to her. ASW or Anti-submarine warfare capability refers to the capability to detect, track and destroy submarines."
The key words are "will be". So far there's none yet.
DeleteI hope the engines don't conk out on the way to manila. This ship, the former USCG Dallas, is the most hard-driven among the Hamilton-WHECs. In fact, the engines were replaced due to wear & tear. It would have been better if in fact these ships (along with PF-15) were handed over to PCG and the PN should have instead went after the better-armed Maestrales.
ReplyDeletePF-16 and PF-16 can be handed to the PCG as soon as PN acquires new frigates.
DeleteHi Mantz, one of the diesel engines is reportedly "new" and before the ship left Charleston, it was made sure that all its systems are green and cleared for the voyage. Since the PN is also facing difficulty in obtaining more large assets, MaxDefense believes that the 2 Hamilton-class ships be retained with the PN while the PCG should make efforts for its own refleeting program with support from the Philippine government.
DeleteFrom the looks of it, I think there will be no Harpoon Missile for the BRP Ramon Alcaraz for now but in the future it will be surely be equipped with Harpoons.
ReplyDeleteYes no Harpoons now.
DeleteWait it until it dock in manila, maybe here in the ph they will install it's modern weapon and sophisticated radars..
ReplyDeleteGuys, it was mentioned before...after its final painting done they will install its auto cannon x2 and harpoon 2x4
ReplyDeleteSome defense forums indicated this information, although no specific target date was detailed.
Deletethis is a big waste of money instead of buying much better frigates. Philippines will remain a sick man of Asia far beyond Marcos regime where in The Philippines have its reputation of being a superpower in terms of military equipments and capabilities.
ReplyDeleteThe ships was obtained from the US government for a very very cheap price for the entire package. The amount spent on the 2 ships is even less than even a single brand new FA-50 jet for the PAF.
Delete@2:27 well you can blamed the previous two administration especially the Arroyo Admin. which wasted 9 yrs doing nothing to modernize the AFP, and these 2 ships is not a totally waste of money it was given to PH for free and paid minimal fee for the refurbishment and these 2 ships will help PN on operating CODOG powered ships
DeletePICTURES LIKE THESE MAKES YOU FEEL PROUD YOURE A FILIPINO!
ReplyDeleteKeep coming baby!! Come home to daddy!!
ReplyDeleteI read somewhere that this ship is actually carrying her missiles inside her cargo area and these missiles will be installed as soon as she reaches the Philippines.
ReplyDeleteStill considered as speculation.
Deletewe can afford to buy atleast 5 Incheon class frigates from south korea..
ReplyDeleteMang Kepweng, yes we can, if the government funds for it. With what is available now, no we can't.
Deletejust go with the missile corvettes. Cheaper that way...
ReplyDeleteKnud Rasmussen-class patrol vessel is a nice one to consider...that is if PH can afford it..
Here's the thing, those ex-USCG cutters give the PH a basic introduction to CODOG operations and basic Light Frigate operations. Those ships would give PH a taste of what a complex modern Multi role frigate would look like down the road. Ships such as the Maestrale-class frigate are simply very advance for PH because they have no experience or technical knowledge in advance weapons or systems on the Maestrale-class frigate. PH has no experience in ASW, ASUW and AAW operations on a Multi Role frigate. Even the weapons on the Maestrale-class frigate's, PH has no experience using such advance weapons such as SAM Missiles, Anti-Ship Missiles, & Torpedos. Which is why if PH is going to get advance Multi Role frigates such as the Maestrale-class frigate, they need to learn all they can and gain all the knowledge from using the Hamilton class Cutters. Because the Maestrale-class frigates would be a step up from the Hamilton class cutters and the weapons and systems on the Maestrale-class frigate would have a very steep learning curve because PH has no experience in complex multi role frigates with complex weapons and systems.
ReplyDeleteLet's keep on dreaming, it comes with Harpoon anti ship missile.
ReplyDelete