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The U.S. Navy Returns to Subic Bay

Jack Hays

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Chinese bellicosity has engendered the predictable reaction: everyone else in Asia is drawing close to the U.S.



SUBIC BAY, Philippines — The newest bar to grace this former U.S. military base is painted with American flags and shaded by a scaled-down Statue of Liberty.
Nearly 25 years ago, Philippine politicians fought to expel U.S. forces stationed here, vowing to “unchain” the country from its former colonial master, promising a future free of girly bars and foreign domination. Now, with Chinese ships cruising just off the coast, the Americans are back, chowing down on chicken tenders and drinking Budweisers served by the Liberty Sports Bar and Grill’s waitresses clad in red, white and blue.
Liberty’s owner, Mark Lindsay, 48, set up shop on the dock five months ago, betting that closer military ties between the United States and the Philippines would revive this once-wild port. Since then, he’s seen a steady rise in ships and sailors, with pit stops by U.S. war and supply vessels, an Ohio-class guided-missile submarine and, most recently, a Japanese aircraft carrier on a four-day “goodwill visit.”
“The more military the better, the more ships the better,” he said. . . .
 
And in other news...

The Philippines couldn't wait to get the Americans out, until they realized that the Americans were the base of the local economy. Subic became a ghost town after the Navy left.
 
And in other news...

The Philippines couldn't wait to get the Americans out, until they realized that the Americans were the base of the local economy. Subic became a ghost town after the Navy left.

Yep, nothing came close to working as planned. AND they have nothing to stand up to the Chinese with now. Throwing us out was really stupid. Even now they dont want us completely back, they just want us to visit and spend money there. However our military already has far more projects lined up than there will be money for, we will be making big cuts in the plans.

The chances of major money for the rebuilding of Subic Bay making onto the list of plans approach Zero.

THese idiots really screwed the pooch.

Seriously.
 
Yep, nothing came close to working as planned. AND they have nothing to stand up to the Chinese with now. Throwing us out was really stupid. Even now they dont want us completely back, they just want us to visit and spend money there. However our military already has far more projects lined up than there will be money for, we will be making big cuts in the plans.

The chances of major money for the rebuilding of Subic Bay making onto the list of plans approach Zero.

THese idiots really screwed the pooch.

Seriously.

But it was their choice.
 
And in other news...

The Philippines couldn't wait to get the Americans out, until they realized that the Americans were the base of the local economy. Subic became a ghost town after the Navy left.

Actually Subic is not a town. Olongapo is the town outside the gates. It was an absolute cesspool when I was there during the Vietnam War.
 
I remember that,, Just as we left( or got kicked out)Mount Pinatubo erupted and basically destroyed the US bases.

djl
 
And in other news...

The Philippines couldn't wait to get the Americans out, until they realized that the Americans were the base of the local economy. Subic became a ghost town after the Navy left.

It became an economic zone actually. The reason the Philippines is welcoming US ships back is because of China, pure and simple.
 
It became an economic zone actually. The reason the Philippines is welcoming US ships back is because of China, pure and simple.

That economic zone that they created didn't turn out quite as well as they had hoped and the people have been lobbying the government to bring back the US Navy or another alternative for years, and way before China began flexing it's muscle in the area. Yes I agree with the Chinese pressure that is touted by Philippine politicians to the Philippine Supreme courts, but the economic impact of the navy returning is quiet elephant in the background that isn't be talked about. Olongapo has a very high unemployment rate.

US military's return to the Philippines sparks economic hopes - News - Stripes
 
That economic zone that they created didn't turn out quite as well as they had hoped and the people have been lobbying the government to bring back the US Navy or another alternative for years, and way before China began flexing it's muscle in the area. Yes I agree with the Chinese pressure that is touted by Philippine politicians to the Philippine Supreme courts, but the economic impact of the navy returning is quiet elephant in the background that isn't be talked about. Olongapo has a very high unemployment rate.

US military's return to the Philippines sparks economic hopes - News - Stripes

Oh Im not disagreeing with you. The Philippines is run terribly. But then again, they are typical of third world countries.
 
I remember that,, Just as we left( or got kicked out)Mount Pinatubo erupted and basically destroyed the US bases.

djl

Our squadron was part of the post-Pinatubo cleanup.

Though the details are a little askew.. Pinatubo erupted and trashed Clark AFB. The US turned of Clark some time later. Subic Bay Naval station and Cubi Point Air station closed later. Subic Bay Naval station and Cubi Point suffered less damage than Clark.
 
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It became an economic zone actually. The reason the Philippines is welcoming US ships back is because of China, pure and simple.
Chinese are intent in driving the US from that area of the Pacific.
The 9 dotted line crosses into other countries territorial waters.

China from what I recall initially agreed to multi state negotiations. Then backtracked to 1 on 1. This way they can exert pressure on smaller countries.
President Hu Jintao lost no time is ramping up tensions, and whipping up Nationalist sentiment that has penned him in a corner.
He has made statements that many believe were prepping people for a war.

Also using the so called " Century of Shame" where Western countries and Japan had China at a disadvantage. Whipping up Nationalist demonstrations against Japan as we recall, these now need to be fed. AS to what they are fed, will depend upon hardliners in the Elites who also need to be satisfied

China due to plain stupidity has created a flash point.
Many fall prey to the fallacy that China is not an expansionist country. They are wrong.

Now for China to be seen as against International Laws and if they complete disregard this ruling, will pay a heavy price.
 
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