According to the military news website 'Naval News', the USS Benford (DDG 65), an Aegis destroyer of the United States Navy, conducted a 'wartime repair' simulation exercise in Subic Bay during its visit to the Philippines earlier this year, aiming to enhance the fleet's logistical capabilities in conflict situations.

The report highlighted that the USS Benford, part of the U.S. Navy's 7th Fleet and Destroyer Squadron 15 (DESRON 15), executed the 'Ship Wartime Repair and Maintenance Exercise' (SWARM-EX) in Subic Bay in late January. During this exercise, crew members received technical support through remote connections from the Information Warfare System Command Center (NAVWAR), successfully completing the simulated repair mission. This marks the third time the NAVWAR monitoring center has participated in wartime repair exercises in the Indo-Pacific region, with two previous exercises held in Guam in the spring and fall of 2024.

Experts analyze that Subic Bay, which was once the largest overseas base of the U.S. Navy, is expected to become an important strategic logistics hub for the U.S. military again due to the increasing defense cooperation between the U.S. and the Philippines in recent years. Furthermore, the U.S. is actively working to restore maintenance capabilities in the area to effectively respond to potential regional conflicts. The U.S. Navy has planned to lease land around Subic Bay by 2026 to establish a new equipment storage base, continuously expanding operational equipment and supplies in the Western Pacific to strengthen regional peace and stability.