Content deleted Content added
Citation bot (talk | contribs) Add: newspaper. Removed parameters. Some additions/deletions were parameter name changes. | Use this bot. Report bugs. | Suggested by Whoop whoop pull up | #UCB_webform 3253/3467 |
No edit summary Tags: Visual edit Mobile edit Mobile web edit |
||
(37 intermediate revisions by 27 users not shown) | |||
Line 1:
{{Short description|Former Spanish and American military facility in Zambales, Philippines}}
{{for
{{Use Philippine English|date=March 2023}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2017}}
{{Infobox military installation
| name = U.S. Naval Base Subic Bay
| partof =
| location = [[Subic Bay]], Philippines
| image = [[File:NAS Cubi Point and NS Subic Bay.jpg|300px|border]]
| caption = An aerial view of Naval Station Subic Bay (right) and [[Naval Air Station Cubi Point]] (left; present-day [[Subic Bay International Airport]]).
| map_type =
| map_size =
| map_caption =
| type = Naval base
| coordinates = {{coord|14|48|30|N|120|17|30|E|type:landmark_region:PH-ZMB|display=title,inline}}
| code =
| built = {{Start date|1885}}
| builder = {{flagcountry|Restoration (Spain)}}
| materials =
| height =
| used = {{unbulleted list|{{flagcountry|Restoration (Spain)}}
| fate = Reactivated
| condition =
| ownership =
| open_to_public =
| controlledby =
| garrison =
| current_commander =
| commanders =
| occupants =
| battles =
| events =
| image2 =
| caption2 =
}}
[[File:NASCubiPt.JPEG|thumb|right|An aerial view of Cubi Point, and in the background, Naval Station Subic Bay]]
'''Naval Base Subic Bay''' was a major ship-repair, supply, and rest and recreation facility of the [[Spanish Navy]] and subsequently the [[United States Navy]] located in [[Zambales]], Philippines. The base was {{convert|262
In late 2022, plans to reopen the base under the [[Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement]] emerged after the Philippine Navy reoccupied a portion of the base and a U.S. investment firm purchased the remainder of the port.<ref name=":0" />
==Spanish period==
[[Subic Bay]]'s
[[Cavite]], which had been home to most of the Spanish fleet in the Philippines, suffered from unhealthy living conditions and was vulnerable in time of war and bad weather because of its shallow
On 8 March 1885, the [[Spanish Navy]] authorized construction of the ''Arsenal de Olongapo'' and by the following September, work started at [[Olongapo]].
[[Seawall]]s, [[causeway]]s and a short railway were built across the [[swamp]]y [[Mudflat|tidal flats]].
The main entrance to the Arsenal was the extant West Gate
Inside the Arsenal, the Spanish constructed a [[foundry]], as well as other shops, which were necessary for the construction and repair of ships. The buildings were laid out in two rows on Rivera Point, a sandy patch of land jutting into the bay, and named after the incumbent Captain-General of the Philippines, [[Fernando Primo de Rivera, 1st Marquis of Estella|Fernando Primo de Rivera]]. The Arsenal's showpiece was the station [[commandant]]'s headquarters, which was a one-storey building of [[Vitex parviflora|molave]] and [[Pterocarpus|narra]]
The Spanish navy yard was constructed in the area that was last occupied by the U.S. Naval Ship Repair Facility. During the [[Philippine Revolution]] against Spain, the Cuban-Filiipino admiral of the [[Philippine Navy]], [[Vicente Catalan]], seized Subic Naval base from the Spanish and delivered it to the [[First Philippine Republic]].
==Battle of Manila Bay==
Line 61 ⟶ 63:
On the morning of the 27 April, ''Castilla'' was towed northeast of Grande Island to help control the western entrance to Subic Bay. The eastern entrance, which was between Grande and Chiquita Islands, had been blocked by the scuttling of ''San Quintín'' and two other vessels. On Grande Island, the four {{convert|5.9|in|mm|adj=on|0}} [[Ordóñez guns]] that had been shipped from [[Sangley Point]] were not yet installed. Meanwhile, a [[Cable ship|cable-laying ship]], which was commandeered to lay [[Naval mine|mines]], ended up putting only four of the 15 available mines in place.
In Hong Kong, Dewey purposely delayed his sailing until he received news from the U.S. Consul at Manila, Oscar F. Williams,
On 30 April, Dewey sighted the islands of [[Luzon]] and thus ordered {{USS|Boston|1884|6}} and {{USS|Concord|PG-3|6}} to sail at full speed to Subic Bay to hunt for enemy ships. After seeing no enemy vessels at Subic, ''Boston'' and ''Concord'' signaled {{USS|Olympia|C-6|2}} of their findings and rejoined the squadron underway to Manila.
Line 179 ⟶ 181:
==Pinatubo eruption==
[[File:Ash from Mount Pinatubo covers NS Subic Bay.jpg|thumb|Ash from Mount Pinatubo covers Naval Station Subic Bay]]
On 15 June 1991, the second largest [[volcanic eruption]] of the 20th century occurred when [[Mount Pinatubo]], just 20 miles (32 km) from Subic Bay, exploded with a force eight times greater than the [[Mount St. Helens]] eruption. The sun was nearly completely hidden as volcanic ash blotted it out. Volcanic earthquakes and heavy rain, lightning and thunder from [[
By the morning of 16 June, when the eruption subsided, Subic Bay lay buried under {{convert|1|ft}} of rain-soaked, sandy ash.
Line 204 ⟶ 206:
==Conversion into an SEZ and merchant port==
In 1992, tons of material including drydocks and equipment,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ship/afdm.htm |title=AFDM Auxiliary Floating Dry Dock, Medium |date=27 April 2005 |publisher=GlobalSecurity.org |access-date=18 June 2011}}<br/>{{cite web |url=http://www.navsource.org/archives/09/28/7301.htm |title=Resourceful (AFDM-5) |date=27 March 2009 |publisher=NavSource Naval History |access-date=18 June 2011}}<br/>{{cite web |url=https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/pdfs/ADA249409.pdf |title=Subic Bay Naval Complex – Are There Alternatives? |last1=Divis |first1=CDR Conrad B. |date=2 March 1992 |website=dtic.mil |publisher=US Army War College |access-date=17 January 2022}}</ref> were shipped to various Naval Stations. Ship repair, maintenance yards and supply depots were relocated to other Asian countries including Japan and Singapore. On 24 November 1992, the [[American Flag]] was lowered in Subic for the last time and the last 1,416 Sailors and Marines at Subic Bay Naval Base left by plane from [[Naval Air Station Cubi Point]] and by {{USS|Belleau Wood|LHA-3|6}}. This withdrawal marked the first time since the 16th century that no foreign military forces were present in the Philippines.<ref>{{cite news|last=Whaley|first=Floyd|title=Shadows of an Old Military Base|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/27/world/asia/27iht-subic27.html?pagewanted=all|access-date=17 February 2014|newspaper=The New York Times|date=26 April 2013}}</ref> The departure of the United States Navy left a huge clean-up to be completed. Soil and water was contaminated with
Beginning in June 2012, the Philippine government said that the United States military could use the old base with prior approval by the Philippine government. This follows expanded military ties between the two nations and an American pivot towards Asia.<ref>{{cite news |title=Philippine government gives OK for US to use old bases, newspaper reports |author=Travis J. Tritten |url=http://www.stripes.com/news/pacific/philippines/philippine-government-gives-ok-for-us-to-use-old-bases-newspaper-reports-1.179790 |newspaper=[[Stars and Stripes (newspaper)|Stars and Stripes]] |date=7 June 2012 |access-date=8 October 2012 |archive-date=12 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121012045356/http://www.stripes.com/news/pacific/philippines/philippine-government-gives-ok-for-us-to-use-old-bases-newspaper-reports-1.179790 |url-status=dead }}</ref> This follows a [[Visiting Forces Agreement]] made in 1999, that saw annual visits of United States forces to conduct large scale exercises (known as [[Balikatan]]) between the two allies.<ref>{{cite news |title=Philippines sees Subic port as vital to US interests |author=Jason Gutierrez |agency=Agence France-Presse |url=http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/global-filipino/world/10/08/12/philippines-sees-subic-port-vital-us-interests |newspaper=ABS-CBN News |date=8 October 2012 |access-date=8 October 2012}}</ref> ''The Sydney Morning Herald'' reported on 20 November 2012 that Subic Bay will host US ships, Marines and aircraft on a semi-permanent basis which according to analysts will give the US a strategically important force posture for its shift in emphasis to the Pacific.<ref>{{cite news|last=Murdoch|first=Lindsay|title=Philippines divided over US return to Subic Bay|url=http://www.smh.com.au/world/philippines-divided-over-us-return-to-subic-bay-20121119-29m4m.html|access-date=26 December 2012|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=20 November 2012}}</ref>
The US Navy began using the base in Subic Bay in 2015 to deliver materiel and personnel for annual joint military exercises.<ref>{{cite news |last=Jennings |first=Ralph |date=5 November 2015 |title=Filipinos Excited as US Military Returns to Subic Bay |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/filipinos-excited-as-us-military-returns-to-subic-bay/3037818.html |work=Voice of America |access-date=2 June 2018 }}</ref> Some 6,000 US personnel came to Subic in April, and returned for exercises in 2016 in agreement with Philippine authorities.<ref>{{cite news |last=Jennigns |first=Ralph |date=15 November 2015 |title=Chinese presence softens Philippines' view of U.S. Navy |url=http://www.latimes.com/world/asia/la-fg-philippines-obama-20151115-story.html |work= Los Angeles Times |access-date=2 June 2018 }}</ref> US ships have used Subic Bay as a resupply port during routine calls.<ref>{{cite news |last=Macatuno |first=Allan |date=22 June 2017 |title=US warship, navy vessels dock at Subic |url=http://globalnation.inquirer.net/158253/us-warship-navy-vessels-dock-subic |newspaper= Philippine Daily Inquirer |access-date=2 June 2018 }}<br/>{{cite news |last=Englund |first=Will |date=18 May 2015 |title=Here's why some in the Philippines want the U.S. Navy back |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2015/05/18/how-south-china-sea-tensions-have-leaders-in-one-philippine-province-hoping-the-u-s-navy-returns-to-its-old-base-in-subic-bay/?noredirect=on |newspaper= [[Washington Post]] |access-date=2 June 2018 }}</ref>
== Reopening ==
In 2022, the United States and Philippine governments quietly began preparations for U.S. forces to return to the facility amid heightened tensions with China.<ref name=":0" /> The portion of [[Redondo Peninsula]] which was used by [[HHIC Phil]] was acquired by the national government in late 2022 and named a Naval Operation Base (NOB) through the [[Philippine Navy]]. After the remainder of the port came up for sale, and interest from at least two Chinese companies, U.S. private equity firm [[Cerberus Capital Management]] acquired the port.<ref name=":0" /> On November 9, [[U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines|U.S. Ambassador]] [[MaryKay Carlson]] visited Subic Bay.<ref name=":0">{{cite news |last=|first=|date=November 24, 2022|title=U.S. military poised to return to Subic Bay, counter China's presence|url=https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2022/11/34dad3ba3fae-us-military-poised-to-return-to-subic-bay-counter-chinas-presence.html|newspaper=Kyodo News}}</ref> On November 24, a day before the 30th anniversary of the U.S. Navy's departure, [[Rolen C. Paulino]], chairman of the SBMA, said that he would be "very surprised" if Subic Bay does not return to service as a U.S. military facility through the [[Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement]], as "during war, time is of the essence."<ref name=":0" />
===Restoration of Subic Bay Airfield===
The restoration of [[Subic Bay]] Airfield (U.S. Naval Base Subic Bay) with a new [[forward operating base]] will host the [[maritime patrol]] assets for [[territorial disputes in the South China Sea]] operations, including [[joint warfare]] in line with the Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept (CADC). Situated along the former [[Naval Air Station Cubi Point]] at [[Naval Base Subic Bay]] edge, the project will enhance its [[surveillance aircraft]] and [[power projection]] around the [[South China Sea]]. [[Philippine Air Force]] documents reveal that it will be established at [[Subic Bay International Airport]], especially since the [[Armed Forces of the Philippines]] chose SBIA for “Joint Air-Sea-Land Operations,” which can support both [[attack aircraft]] and [[reconnaissance aircraft]]. In 2022, the government established [[Agila Subic Shipyard|Naval Operating Base Subic]], the 100-[[hectare]] northern yard of which is occupied by the [[Philippine Navy]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lariosa |first1= Aaron-Matthew |title=Philippines To Restore Subic Bay Airfield For South China Sea Ops|url= https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2024/06/philippines-to-restore-subic-bay-airfield-for-south-china-sea-ops/|accessdate=June 12, 2024 |publisher=navalnews.com |date=June 11, 2024}}</ref>
== Commanders ==
This is the
=== Spanish Period ===
{|
!No.
! Commander !! Branch !! Year
|-
|1
|[[Rear admiral|RAdm.]] [[Patricio Montojo y Pasarón]]
|[[Spanish Navy]]
|1899
|}
=== United States Naval Base ===
{| class="wikitable"
! No. !! Commander !! Branch !! Term Start !! Term End
!Time in Office
|-
| -
|[[Capt.]] [[John Twiggs Myers]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Marine Corps University > Research > Marine Corps History Division > People > Who's Who in Marine Corps History > Mackie - Ozbourn > Lieutenant General John Twiggs Myers |url=https://www.usmcu.edu/Research/Marine-Corps-History-Division/People/Whos-Who-in-Marine-Corps-History/Mackie-Ozbourn/-Lieutenant-General-John-Twiggs-Myers/ |access-date=2024-01-24 |website=www.usmcu.edu}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Anderson |first=Gerald R. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OfPs0NH5EuAC&dq=capt+john+t+myers+subic&pg=PA41 |title=Subic Bay from Magellan to Pinatubo: The History of the U. S. Naval Station, Subic Bay |date=2009-01-12 |publisher=Gerald Anderson |isbn=978-1-4414-4452-3 |language=en}}</ref>
|[[United States Navy]]
|December 1899
|December 1899
|less 1 month
|-
|
|[[Capt.]] Herbert L. Draper <ref>{{Cite book |last=Anderson |first=Gerald R. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OfPs0NH5EuAC&q=capt+herbert+l+drapper+subic&pg=PA41 |title=Subic Bay from Magellan to Pinatubo: The History of the U. S. Naval Station, Subic Bay |date=2009-01-12 |publisher=Gerald Anderson |isbn=978-1-4414-4452-3 |language=en}}</ref>
|[[United States Marine Corps]]
| -
| -
| -
|-
|1
|[[Capt.]] Harry Nelson Coffin <ref>{{Cite book |url=https://www.history.navy.mil/content/dam/nhhc/research/library/research-guides/modernbios/c/Coffin-Harry-Nelson_Redacted.pdf |title=NAVY Biographies Section |date=February 9, 1955 |publisher=United States Navy |publication-date=February 9, 1955 |pages=OI-440}}</ref>
|[[United States Navy]]
|October 1945
Line 262 ⟶ 294:
|-
|7
|[[Rear admiral (United States)|RAdm.]]
|[[United States Navy]]
|March 1962
Line 380 ⟶ 412:
|2 years
|}
=== Philippine Navy ===
Since 2022, the [[Philippine Navy]] acquisition of [[HHIC Phil]] facilities stated to reactivate the base on Redondo Peninsula within [[Subic Bay]]. currently, the Naval Operating Base (N.O.B.) is supervise by the Naval Installation Command.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Lorenzana marvels at PH Navy's new base |url=https://mb.com.ph/2022/06/26/lorenzana-marvels-at-ph-navys-new-base |access-date=2024-01-24 |website=Manila Bulletin |language=en}}</ref>
==See also==
Line 389 ⟶ 424:
* [[San Miguel Naval Communications Station]]
* [[Mount Santa Rita Naval Link Station]]
* [[US Naval Base Philippines]]
* [[US Naval Advance Bases]]
* [[US Bases in the Philippines]]
==Notes==
Line 405 ⟶ 442:
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20120531235152/http://subicupdater.com/ News Source]
* [http://www.sbma.com Source of more information about Subic Bay]
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Subic Bay Naval Base}}
|