SUBIC BAY, Philippines (Feb. 15, 2024) Cmdr. Ralph Lufkin, commanding officer of the Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Manchester (LCS 14), is welcomed aboard the Philippine Navy guided-missile frigate BRP Jose Rizal (FFL 150) in Subic Bay, Feb. 15. Manchester, part of Destroyer Squadron 7, is on a rotational deployment operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability with Allies and partners and serve as a ready-response force in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Electronic Technician 2nd Class Jonathan Talbert)