The navies of the US and the Philippines faced an embarrassing incident when an old warship, which they used to mark the goals during war exercises, drowned in the South China Sea before the attack. The ship was of World War II and was to be destroyed during the annual joint military exercise on the west coast of the Philippines. But before the bomb and missile attack, the ship was silently drowned on Monday morning, causing great embarrassment to the armies of the two countries.
This ship was the main goal of war practice
The incident occurred as part of the annual “Balikatan” military exercise between the Philippines and the United States, which started from April 21 and lasted until 9 May. The main goal of this study was the USS Bratalboro, a ship of World War II, which was given by the United States to the Philippines. According to a statement by the Philippine Army, the ship was selected for the study because its service life was over and it was no longer useful for regular operations.
What was the plans for war exercise?
The US Navy spokesman said the 81-year-old ship was targeted by the F/A-18 fighter jets of the American Marine Core during the practice. According to a report by the Philippine government’s news agency (PNA), the ship was planned to attack the ship with a combination of anti-ship missiles, bombs and automatic cannons. The intention was to destroy this warship in a brilliant way.
How did the ship sink? Embarrassing situation for America and Philippines
According to the Philippine Army, the 184 -foot -long ship was being taken to a place located 35 miles west of the Zambles province on the Luzon Island of Northern Philippines to study. Meanwhile, due to poor sea conditions and long service period of the ship, it was flooded with huge amounts and it drowned. The Philippine Navy spokesman Captain John Persy Alkos said, “The sea condition in the study field was bad, and the old position of the ship was flooded and drowned.” He also said that he did not harm him while pulling the ship.
The study will continue
The ship, which belonged to the Philippine Army, was quietly drowned near the place at 7:20 am local time, where it was later to be destroyed. The military statement stated that other parts of the study would continue. The Philippine and American joint forces will practice “virtual and creative fire missions”. However, no more details were given about the remaining parts of the study. The army also said that there is no environmental threat from drowning, as the ship was cleaned before the study.
U.S.S. History of Bratalboro
The sinking of USS Bratalboro was the calm end of the ship that made its own identity for decades. During World War II, the ship participated in the Layte Bay in 1944 and the Battle of Okinawa in 1945, which was a major victory against the Japanese army. According to the US Navy History and Heritage Command (NHHC), the ship, known as the submarine Chaser, has played a significant rescue and aerial defense role in the battle of Lete. During a month, he helped more than 400 injured soldiers transport from the shore to large hospital ships and even killed a Japanese aircraft.
