The USS Montgomery,

an Independence-class littoral combat ship of the United States Navy, docks in Davao City on Saturday for its first port visit to the Philippines.

The US Navy’s combat ship USS Montgomery arrived in Davao City on Saturday for a port visit to the Philippines during its first deployment.

“It is an honor to visit one of the longeststanding US allies in the Indo-Pacific region,” said the Montgomery’s commanding officer Edward Rosso.

He said the port visit will allow the US “to demonstrate our commitment to maritime security in the region, while strengthening relationships with our friends, partners and allies.”

During the port visit, the ship will host local military and civic leaders.

“My crew and I are very much looking forward to visiting Davao City,” Rosso said.

Rear Adm. Joey Tynch, commander of the Logistics Group Western Pacific, stressed the importance of the US-Philippine partnership.

“Our navies, just like our nations, have a long history of cooperation and partnership based on mutual trust, respect and decades of friendship,” Tynch said.

“Every port visit and exercise we complete together continues to strengthen maritime security and regional stability,” he said.

The Montgomery is the fourth ship to be named after the capital of Alabama.

It is classified as an Independence-class littoral combat ship (LCS) – a fast, agile and missionfocused navy vessel designed to operate in nearshore environments for surface warfare, mine countermeasures and anti-submarine warfare.

With its high speed and shallow draft, LCS provides presence and access to places where larger ships cannot go.

The US 7th Fleet conducts forward-deployed naval operations in support of US national interests in the Indo-Pacific area of operations. As the US Navy’s largest numbered fleet, US 7th Fleet interacts with 35 other maritime nations to build partnerships that foster maritime security, promote stability and prevent conflict.