InterAksyon.com
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MANILA, Philippines -- The USS Pinckney (DDG-91), one of the 62 Arleigh Burke-class destroyers in the United States Navy service, formally ended its five-day port visit to the Philippines Tuesday.

Captain Brian T. Block of the US Embassy Military Public Affairs Liaison Office declined to give the exact departure time of the ship for security reasons.

"For security reasons, we don't give out specific times for ships movement," he explained.

The USS Pinckney arrived last Friday at the Manila South Harbor for its five-day port visit.

The destroyer was named after USN cook William Pinckney, who was awarded the Navy Cross for rescuing a fellow crew member during the Battle of Santa Cruz in Solomon Islands in 1942.

Arleigh Burke-class destroyers can engage any threats at very long ranges afforded by its two Mark 41 VLS (vertical launch system) of which 96 tubes are fitted to the ship.

The Mark 41 VLS can fire any anti-air, anti-surface, and anti-submarine missiles in the US Navy inventory.

Acting in a support role is the Mark 45 Model 4 five-inch automatic gun which can engage surface and air threats in conjunction with the 20mm Phalanx CIWS (closed-in weapon system) fitted at the stern of the ship.

Topping this off are the advanced radars and sonars installed in the USS Pinckney which can detect, track and, if needed, can guide these sophisticated missiles to their respective targets.

The USS Pinckney belongs to the Flight II series and is the 41st ship of the Arleigh Burke-class of destroyers.

Flight II ships are equipped with more advanced radar and sensor systems and have generally bigger flight decks than their predecessors.

The Arleigh Burke-class is among the largest destroyers built in the United States measuring 505 feet.

Only the Spruance and Kidd classes are longer at 563 feet.