U-TAPAO, Thailand -- The “Red Lancers” of Patrol Squadron (VP) 10 began working alongside the Royal Thai Navy (RTN) for the 4th annual Sea Surveillance Exercise (SEASURVEX), Dec. 15.

VP-10 dispatched a P-8A Poseidon aircraft with combat air crew (CAC) 8 to Thailand to enhance maritime security, foster cooperation, and promote training between the RTN and the U.S. Navy.

The goal of SEASURVEX is to provide the opportunity for the United States and Thailand to promote and refine coordinated multinational maritime domain awareness (MDA) and anti-submarine warfare (ASW). The exercise consists of one flight, multiple symposiums, and an exchange of maintenance personnel and subject matter experts.

Mission commander and officer-in-charge of the exercise, Lt. Cmdr. Doug Kettler, is looking forward to the event. “SEASURVEX will be an excellent opportunity to work side-by-side with the Royal Thai Navy to increase interoperability of our platforms as well as to ensure freedom of navigation in international waters,” he said.

The flight will consist of a coordinated MDA mission with RTN riders onboard, allowing the two crews to work alongside and showcase the two nations’ interoperability in the maritime domain.

“I’m very grateful and excited for the opportunity to work alongside the RTN during an MDA mission. It will be a great experience to foster an ongoing professional partnership with Thailand,” said Naval Aircrewman (Operator) 2nd Class Luke Dahms.

The Red Lancers, based in Jacksonville, Florida, are operating out of Misawa, Japan, conducting maritime patrol and reconnaissance and theater security cooperation operations across the Indo-Pacific in support of commander, Task Force (CTF) 72, commander, 7th Fleet and U.S. Indo-Pacific Command objectives throughout the region.