USS Boxer in Philippines for typhoon relief, NZ to investigate sinking
USNI News
USS Boxer in Philippines for typhoon relief, New Zealand to investigate sinking of HMNZS Manawanui
By DZirhan Mahadzir
10 October 2024
U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Mitchell Parcell, a V-22 tiltrotor crew chief assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 165 (Reinforced), 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, and a native of Montana, observes the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD-4) in the Luzon Strait Oct. 8, 2024. US Marine Corps Photo
Amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD-4) and its embarked 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit elements arrived in the Philippines on Tuesday to join other Marine Corps units in assisting relief efforts from the impact of Typhoon Krathon, which made landfall on the Province of Cagayan, Philippines, on Sept. 30.
A Marine Corps release on Wednesday stated U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and U.S. Indo-Pacific Command deployed Boxer and the 15th MEU at the request of the Philippine government.
It will support the U.S. Agency for International Development by sending personnel and equipment from the ship to transport foreign in collaboration with USAID. The supplies will include items such as tarps, shelter kits and food packets, according to the release.
“The primary focus of our mission is helping the people of the Philippines recover as quickly and safely as possible,” said Col. Sean Dynan, commanding officer, 15th MEU, in the release.
“Alongside the Armed Forces of the Philippines and USAID, our forces will help coordinate and transport relief supplies to those most affected in the Batanes Islands. Humanitarian assistance in an expeditionary environment is what we train to do, and it is one of the reasons we are forward deployed as an amphibious force.”
Boxer and the 15th MEU will join I Marine Expeditionary Force’s Marine Rotational Force–Southeast Asia, already in the Philippines. U.S. Marine Corps KC-130J Hercules aircraft from Marine Aerial Refueler Transport Squadron 152, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, arrived in Manila from Okinawa, Japan, last week to support the ongoing relief efforts, according to the release.
The Boxer ARG ships and 15th MEU are currently dispersed into several elements operating independently instead of concentrated as a single ARG. Engineering issues forced Boxer to postpone its planned Indo-Pacific deployment from April to July.
Amphibious transport dock USS Harpers Ferry (LSD-49) and embarked 15th MEU elements departed in April for its Indo-Pacific deployment and joined the third ship of the ARG, amphibious transport dock USS Somerset (LPD-25), and its embarked 15th MEU in the Philippines in May.
Somerset deployed in January to the Indo-Pacific and returned to San Diego in August after participating in the Rim of the Pacific 2024 (RIMPAC 2024) exercise in Hawaii. Boxer, meanwhile, operated in the Pacific Ocean until Jul. 23 when it embarked its 15th MEU elements, which had been taking part in RIMPAC 2024, before setting off for its Indo-Pacific deployment.
Currently, while Boxer and its 15th MEU elements are in the Philippines, Harpers Ferry and its 15th MEU elements are operating around Guam, while Somerset and its 15th MEU elements are taking part in San Francisco Fleet Week. A fourth 15th MEU element is operating in the Philippine Sea on expeditionary support base USS Miguel Keith (ESB-5), which is not part of the Boxer ARG.
Earlier on Monday, the United States, the Philippines and partner nations commenced the eighth iteration of Exercise Sama Sama in the vicinity of Subic Bay, Philippines, marking the beginning of two weeks of maritime engagements, according to a Navy release on the same day.
“This exercise has evolved significantly since its inception. What began as a bilateral event between the United States and the Philippines has grown into a multilateral and multiplatform operation, bringing together like-minded partners from across the Indo-Pacific,” said Rear Adm. Todd Cimicata, Commander Logistics Western Pacific, and Task Force 73, in the release.
“This development highlights the strength of our alliances and our shared commitment to peace, security, and cooperation in the maritime domain and it’s never been more important.”
For the shore phase, participants will engage in specialized training across a range of disciplines, including medicine, legal operations, engineering, logistics and public affairs.
For the sea phase, specialized teams, including diving and explosive ordnance disposal units, will work alongside naval vessels and maritime surveillance aircraft and conduct high-intensity drills focusing on anti-submarine warfare , anti- surface warfare , anti- air warfare and maritime domain awareness.
Participants from Australia, Canada, France , Japan and the United Kingdom will take part in the drills, though only Canada and Japan will deploy assets in the exercise – Canada deploying Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) frigate HMCS Vancouver (FFH331) and its embarked CH-148 Cyclone helicopter and Japan will deploy a Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) US-2 amphibious aircraft and a P-1 maritime patrol aircraft (MPA).
The Philippines Navy will deploy frigate BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150) , landing craft BRP Waray (LC-288) , patrol craft BRP Nestor Reinoso (PC-380) , a force reconnaissance group, Naval Special Operations Unit 2 and supporting units that include a medical and media team.
Participating U.S. elements are destroyer USS Howard (DDG-83) and a P-8A Poseidon MPA. Personnel from U.S. 7th Fleet , Command Task Forces 76, 75 and 72 ; Command, Destroyer Squadron Seven (DESRON 7) ; and MRF-SEA are also taking part in Sama Sama 2024 , according to the release.
Meanwhile, on Thursday, the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) announced a Court of Inquiry (COI) into the sinking of HMNZS Manawanui (A09) in Samoa.
The COI will assemble on Friday and comprises of Commodore Melissa Ross, who has previously held the position of Deputy Chief of Navy and Commander Logistics; President of the COI and Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) Captain Andrew Mahoney; Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) Group Captain John McWilliam and Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Captain Dean Battilana, who has been seconded from his service.
RNZN Chief Rear Adm. Garin Golding stated in the release that he will make the COI’s findings publicly available as much as possible. “Given the high level of public interest in this and with transparency at front of mind, I will make the report publicly available to the maximum extent possible consistent with the Privacy Act and my obligations to uphold national security,” said Golding in the release, adding that he has directed the court to provide him with an interim report on specific areas by mid-November, and to provide regular updates on the progress of their inquiry from there.
Meanwhile, the NZDF posted on its Facebook page that multi-role vessel HMNZS Canterbury (L421) departed for Samoa on Wednesday, deploying as part of New Zealand’s support to the government of Samoa hosting the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting (CHOGM).
Canterbury is deploying with three RNZAF NH90 helicopters and crew, as well as five Hato Hone St John ambulances and other vehicles and supplies.
“The ship is also carrying containers of stores and other supplies specifically for the response to the sinking of HMNZS Manawanui, off the coast of Samoa last weekend.
There are another 50 NZDF personnel in Samoa dedicated to supporting the response,” read the post.