An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : Media : News : News Article View
NEWS | June 10, 2022

U.S., Japan Coast Guards Conduct Joint Counter-narcotics Exercise in the Pacific

By Petty Officer 2nd Class Matthew West U.S. Coast Guard District 14 Hawaii Pacific

SANTA RITA, Guam -- The U.S. Coast Guard and Japan Coast Guard completed a joint counter-narcotics exercise off Guam, Tuesday.

The exercise was the first operational exchange between U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia/Sector Guam and the Japan Coast Guard and was designed to promote cooperation between the partners in areas of mutual interest including maritime security and counter-smuggling operations.

“What an incredible opportunity to conduct joint training with the Japan Coast Guard and be able to share law enforcement capabilities which will enhance future joint mission planning,” said Capt. Nicholas Simmons, Commander of Coast Guard Forces Micronesia/Sector Guam. “These exercises further solidify our great maritime relationship and will prove to be invaluable during future missions.”

The exercise was conducted between the crews of the Japan Coast Guard patrol vessel Mizuho, Japan Coast Guard International Criminal Investigation Division, U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Oliver Henry, and U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia/Sector Guam.

On Monday, the participants met at Coast Guard Forces Micronesia/Sector Guam for tours of the participating vessels and tabletop discussions to bolster mutual understanding between the Coast Guards.

On Tuesday, the crews deployed for the at-sea exercise consisting of two counter-narcotics drills where the crews simulated locating and boarding a target of interest fishing vessel suspected of drug smuggling.

“Conducting exercises based off of real-world threats strengthens our combined readiness to respond more effectively,” said Lt. Jack Hamel, Commanding Officer of the Oliver Henry. “The cooperation and teamwork demonstrated today by the crews of Mizuho and Oliver Henry exemplifies our Coast Guards’ commitment to maintaining rules-based order in the Pacific.”

The drills focused on enhancing cooperation to detect, monitor, stop, and board suspected smuggling vessels and expanding interoperability between the partners.

The two crews also conducted a personnel exchange and rendered passing honors between the vessels.

The exercise was a part of the Japan Coast Guard and U.S. Coast Guard Operation SAPPHIRE 2022, which stands for Solid Alliance for Peace and Prosperity with Humanity and Integrity on the Rule-of-Law Based Engagement 2022, and was the second such exercise held between the U.S. Coast Guard and the Japan Coast Guard, the first being held in San Francisco in May.

SAPPHIRE was created during a joint document signing ceremony and celebration at Japan Coast Guard Headquarters earlier this year and was an annex to a memorandum of cooperation between the sea services which has existed since 2010.

The purpose of Operation SAPPHIRE is to standardize operating procedures for combined operations, training and capacity building, and information sharing between the partners.

The U.S. Coast Guard and Japan Coast Guard have been bolstering each other's capabilities and effectiveness since the founding of the Japan Coast Guard in 1948. The agencies work together to counter illegal maritime activity and assist foreign maritime agencies in the Indo-Pacific region in improving their own capabilities necessary for maritime law enforcement.
CONNECT WITH USINDOPACOM
Facebook

Like Us
X
362,832
Follow Us

ENGAGE & CONNECT MORE WITH PACOM

                                                 

IN THE USINDOPACOM NEWS
USS Annapolis Port Visit in Perth, Australia
March 12, 2024 - USS Annapolis (SSN 760) arrived in HMAS Stirling in Perth, Western Australia Sunday...

U.S. Army Assault Helicopters Conduct Deck Landings on USNS Dahl
Soldiers with 2nd Battalion, 2nd Aviation Regiment, 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade exit a U.S. Army UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter after single-spot deck-landing qualifications on prepositioning ship USNS Dahl (T-AKR 312), March 7. (Courtesy photo)
March 12, 2024 - Soldiers with 2nd Battalion, 2nd Aviation Regiment, 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade (2-2 CAB) conducted deck landings with U.S. Army UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters on prepositioning ship USNS Dahl (T-AKR 312), March 7...

U.S. Coast Guard member safely evacuated in joint operation with Navy's HSC-25 near Guam
On March 6, 2024, the U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Navy's Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 25 (HSC-25) effectively evacuated a U.S. Coast Guard member from the USCGC Polar Star (WAGB 10), 100 nautical miles south of Guam, in a joint effort. The incident began on March 5, when the Joint Rescue Sub-Center (JRSC) Guam received a communication from the Polar Star crew regarding a 43-year-old man aboard experiencing severe abdominal pain. Recognizing the need for urgent medical attention beyond the capabilities available on ship, watchstanders directed the cutter to reroute closer to Guam and initiate a medical evacuation. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Ryan Graves)
March 12, 2024 - On March 6, 2024, the U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Navy's Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 25 (HSC-25) effectively evacuated a Coast Guard member from the USCGC Polar Star (WAGB 10), 100 nautical miles south of Guam, in a joint...

Annapolis Visits Australia
ROCKINGHAM, Western Australia (March 10, 2024) – U.S. Navy Sailors assigned to the Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Annapolis (SSN 760) prepare the submarine to moor alongside Diamantina Pier at Fleet Base West in Rockingham, Western Australia, March 10, 2024. The nuclear-powered, conventionally-armed submarine is in HMAS Stirling for the second visit by a fast-attack submarine to Australia since the announcement of the AUKUS (Australia, United Kingdom, United States) Optimal Pathway in March 2023. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kaitlyn E. Eads)
March 11, 2024 - USS Annapolis (SSN 760) arrived in HMAS Stirling in Perth, Western Australia Sunday...

Joint exercise Cobra Gold 24 concludes furthering multinational relationships and interoperability
U.S. Army soldiers assigned to Chosin Company, 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 7th Infantry Division, and members of the 1st Company, 1st Battalion, 2nd Infantry Regiment Royal Thai Army conduct squad movement techniques at a small arms range during Exercise Cobra Gold 24, Feb. 29, 2024, in Sa Kaeo Province, Thailand. The multilateral exercise strengthens regional relationships and enhances interoperability among Allies and partners through shared experiences and rigorous training.  (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Effie Mahugh, 7th Infantry Division)
March 11, 2024 - This year’s Cobra Gold, the paramount joint multinational military exercise in Southeast Asia, successfully concluded after two weeks of intensive training, humanitarian efforts and cultural exchanges...