SUBIC BAY, Republic of Philippines -- Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Sterett (DDG 104) arrived in Subic Bay, Republic of Philippines June 18 for a scheduled port visit.

Sterett is joined by the command staff of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 31, along with an embarked helicopter detachment from Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 49.

Cmdr. Claudine Caluori, Sterett’s commanding officer, noted the port visit, Sterett’s seventh overall and sixth in the Asia-Pacific region, offered the opportunity for the ship to conduct a voyage repair availability (VRAV) period, community outreach events, and the crew to explore the Philippines.

“We are very excited to be here in Subic Bay. We’ve had a series of excellent port visits over the course of our deployment, and we’re looking forward to building on the relationship with another one of our close allies and friends in the Asia-Pacific Region,” she said.

Ensign Desmond Johnson, a San Diego native and Sterett’s main propulsion assistant, explained how the VRAV would allow mission-essential maintenance to be conducted, including lagging, throughout the ship, the flight deck nets weight-tested, and various other surface-level repairs.

“Any time you can get a time to get an availability done, you need to take it. We can focus on the maintenance and upkeep fully, and continue to steam and take care of business out to sea like we’re supposed to,” he said.

The Sterett-Dewey SAG is operating with regional naval services to conduct routine patrols, maritime security operations and theater security cooperation activities to enhance regional security and stability in the Western Pacific.

U.S. 3rd Fleet leads naval forces in the Pacific and provides the realistic, relevant training necessary for an effective global Navy, constantly coordinating with U.S. 7th Fleet to plan and execute missions based on their complementary strengths to promote ongoing peace, security, and stability throughout the Pacific theater of operations.