At a meeting with Rear Admiral Alexander P. Pama, Flag Officer in Command of the Philippine Navy, Admiral Walsh thanked the Philippine Navy for its hospitality and collaboration with the crews of visiting U.S. Navy ships, which contribute hundreds of thousands of U.S. dollars to the Philippine economy from port fees and crew expenditures.
He noted that Filipino-Americans represent a large percentage of the crews of the USS George Washington and the USS Blue Ridge and were therefore able to connect with family members during those ships‟ recent visits to the Philippines.
The four-star Admiral also paid courtesy calls on National Defense Secretary Voltaire T. Gazmin and Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff General Ricardo A. David, Jr. in Camp Aguinaldo and laid a wreath at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial.
"The United States has a multi-faceted equal partnership with the Philippines based on respect for Philippine sovereignty and admiration of Philippine democracy," said Admiral Walsh. "It is a special honor for me to pay a visit on the 25th anniversary of the EDSA 'People Power' revolution," he added.
The Admiral graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1977. He commanded Carrier Air Wing 1 aboard USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67), and Carrier Group 7/USS John C. Stennis Strike Group. He also commanded U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and the U.S. 5th Fleet, while commanding the Combined Maritime Forces conducting Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom and maritime security operations. Prior to his assignment to the U.S. Pacific Fleet, he served as the 35th Vice Chief of Naval Operations. His full bio is available HERE.