The United States Navy’s aircraft carrier USS George Washington on Thursday started its port visit in the Philippines after its patrol in the West Philippine Sea (WPS).

The Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier has anchored off Manila Bay.

“This is the first port visit for George Washington on this patrol and it’s the first port visit for George Washington in total since we’re turning to as the [forward deployed naval forces] carrier in this region,” USS George Washington commanding officer Captain Timothy Waits told reporters on Wednesday.

“It’s good to be able to pull in here and afford the crew some time for some rest and relaxation, a little bit of liberty, recharge your batteries, and be ready to get back,” he added.

The USS George Washington crew will have several tours in the country, according to Waits.

Asked if the presence of the US aircraft carrier is a response to the reported deployment of the Chinese navy’s two aircraft carriers in the western Pacific for drills, Waits said, “This is a typical patrol for us.”

“We’re out here to do what we do, expressing those shared ideals with our partners and allies in the region, and that is free and Indo-Pacific,” he said.

Filipin-American Aircrew Survival Equipmentman Petty Officer 3rd Class Ynn de Jesus. JOVILAND RITA/ GMA Integrated News

Around 5% of the ship’s crew are Filipino-Americans, according to Waits.

One of them, 22-year-old Aircrew Survival Equipmentman Petty Officer 3rd Class Ynn de Jesus, has been serving for almost three years in the USS George Washington, which is her first ship and command.

“My job here is a parachute rigger, but it’s mostly known as Aircrew Survival Equipment Man. What we usually do is we inspect, pack, and repair parachutes and other survival equipment,” she told GMA News Online.

“That includes lifeboats, life rafts, float coats, breathing devices. That’s what we maintain and inspect. So, in a sense, if something does happen to the pilots and passengers, at least they have a chance for survival. Like, that’s our priority because our goal is to save lives,” she added.

For De Jesus, joining the US military developed her character and helped her broaden her experience.

“That’s why I joined. And also to make myself and my family proud with what I’m doing because I wanted to show them that I can be all myself. Do what I can do, especially with their support,” she added.

Tensions continue as Beijing claims almost all of the South China Sea, a conduit for more than $3 trillion of annual shipborne commerce, including parts claimed by the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei.

Parts of the South China Sea that fall within Philippine territory have been renamed by the government as the West Philippine Sea to reinforce the country’s claim.

The West Philippine Sea refers to the maritime areas on the western side of the Philippine archipelago, including the Luzon Sea and the waters around, within, and adjacent to the Kalayaan Island Group and Bajo de Masinloc.

In 2016, the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague ruled in favor of the Philippines over China’s claims in the South China Sea, saying that it had “no legal basis.”

China has refused to recognize the decision.

GMA News Online, along with other select media outfits, was invited to observe the activities of the Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier in the West Philippine Sea on Wednesday. —VAL, GMA Integrated News