Carl Vinson Strike Group completes Manila port call

by MC2 Tom Tonthat, USS Carl Vinson

26 February 2018 MANILA, Philippines - The Carl Vinson Strike Group departed Manila, Philippines, Feb. 20, completing a four-day port call.

More than 5,500 Sailors from aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) and guided-missile destroyer USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112) arrived Feb. 16 to visit local attractions and participate in community service projects.

Crew members assisted residents of Quezon City by helping clear debris at a site for low-income housing.

"Community service projects like these help build relationships," said Cmdr. Jamie Stall-Ryan, Carl Vinson's lead chaplain. "It shows that Sailors are not just in town to have fun. We're here to partner with the Philippine people and support them."

Sailors also helped pack 3,300 boxes of relief supplies that will help feed 16,000 residents from Albay province displaced by the recent eruption of Mount Mayon. Approximately 30 Carl Vinson crew members packed bags of rice and cans of sardines, tomato sauce and coffee. Each box is designed to feed a family of five for several days.

"I feel like I'm involved in making the world a better place," said Seaman Shemroy Kellman from Carl Vinson's Deck department.

The strike group will continue operating in the Indo-Pacific region as part of a regularly scheduled deployment focused on working with partners and allies, promoting freedom of the seas, and enhancing regional security.

The strike group includes Carl Vinson, Carrier Air Wing 2, USS Wayne E. Meyer (DDG 108) and Michael Murphy of Destroyer Squadron 1, and guided-missile cruiser USS Lake Champlain (CG 57).