According to the military news website 'Naval News', the US Navy's Aegis destroyer USS Benfold (DDG 65) conducted a 'war-time maintenance' simulation exercise in Subic Bay, Philippines earlier this year during its visit, aimed at enhancing the fleet's logistics capability under conflict situations.

The report noted that USS Benfold, belonging to the US Navy's 7th Fleet Destroyer Squadron 15, participated in the 'Ship Wartime Repair and Maintenance Exercise' (SWARM-EX) during its visit to the Philippines in late January. Crew members received technical support via remote connection through the Naval Warfare (NAVWAR) monitoring center, successfully completing the simulated maintenance task.

This marks the third involvement of the NAVWAR monitoring center in wartime maintenance exercises held in the Indo-Pacific, with the previous two occurring in the fall of 2024 and this spring in Guam. Experts analyze that Subic Bay, once the largest overseas base for the US Navy, is likely to become a crucial overseas logistics support hub for US forces again, as US-Philippines defense cooperation heats up.

The US is actively working to restore maintenance capabilities in the area to effectively respond to potential regional conflicts. The US Navy has planned to lease land around Subic Bay before 2026 to construct a new equipment storage base, continuously expanding operational equipment and material reserves in the western Pacific to maintain regional peace and stability.