Vietnam joins biggest-ever SEACAT exercise led by US Navy
Among 11 partner nations, Vietnam helps promote shared commitments to maritime partnerships, security and stability in Southeast Asia.
The US Navy and maritime forces from Vietnam and nine Indo-Pacific partner nations have participated in a multilateral exercise that focuses on maritime security operations held on August 19-20.
The exercise – the 18th iteration of Southeast Asia Cooperation and Training (SEACAT) – in Singapore is designed to enhance maritime security skills by highlighting the value of information sharing and multilateral coordination.
Participating nations include Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, the United States, and Vietnam.
SEACAT promotes shared commitments to maritime partnerships, security and stability in Southeast Asia.
“SEACAT is regional maritime security at its best,” said Rear Adm. Joey Tynch, commander, Task Force 73. “This year, more partner nations than ever have come to SEACAT to share their challenges and best practices. There’s no better place to strengthen our abilities to sense, share and respond than working together at sea.”
Throughout the exercise, maritime forces from the Indo-Pacific region will operate together, executing a variety of realistic scenarios designed to reinforce interoperability in areas such as visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS), maritime domain awareness and maritime asset tracking.
VBSS events will focus on countering numerous kinds of maritime threats. Teams from multiple countries board and seize ships under a number of simulated scenarios.
In all, SEACAT includes 14 ships and more than 400 personnel. US Navy units include the staff of Destroyer Squadron 7; P-8 Poseidon aircraft assigned to Task Force 72 and personnel from Task Force 73. Participants from the U.S. Coast Guard include Maritime Security Response Team West (MSRT) and Pacific Tactical Law Enforcement Team (PACTACLET).
The US Coast Guard Maritime Security Response Team (MSRT) will conduct workshops and seminars on visit, board, search and seizure techniques in Manila, Philippines, addressing a wide-range of topics to include human trafficking, drugs and weapons smuggling and illegal fishing.
US Coast Guard Cmdr. David Negron-Alicea, Defense Threat Reduction Agency maritime advisor for US Embassy Manila, and Philippine Coast Guard Capt. Edgardo T. Hernando, commander, coast guard special operation force, led the opening ceremony for VBSS seminars in Manila.
“I challenge everyone to get to know your fellow Navy and Coast Guard participants - to observe with an open mind, share lessons that you’ve learned and best practices for the future,” said Negron-Alicea. “By the end of the workshop, I look forward to seeing teams comprised of operators from each of the different partner nations here today working together and achieving success.”
SEACAT, which began in 2002 under the name “Southeast Asia Cooperation Against Terrorism”, was renamed in 2012 to expand the scope of training among regional navies and coast guards.
The goal of the SEACAT exercise is to bring together regional nations to engage in “real world, real time” training designed to enhance their ability to communicate, coordinate and counter illegal smuggling and piracy.
The exercise emphasizes realistic training scenarios wherein exercise participants will practice identifying, tracking and boarding of vessels participating in the exercise.
US Coast Guard Cmdr. David Negron-Alicea, Defense Threat Reduction Agency maritime advisor for US Embassy Manila, delivers keynote remarks. Photo: US Navy
|
The exercise – the 18th iteration of Southeast Asia Cooperation and Training (SEACAT) – in Singapore is designed to enhance maritime security skills by highlighting the value of information sharing and multilateral coordination.
Participating nations include Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, the United States, and Vietnam.
SEACAT promotes shared commitments to maritime partnerships, security and stability in Southeast Asia.
Senior Chief Gunner's Mate Deonta Wade, assigned to Destroyer Squadron 7, speaks with participants. Photo: US Navy
|
Throughout the exercise, maritime forces from the Indo-Pacific region will operate together, executing a variety of realistic scenarios designed to reinforce interoperability in areas such as visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS), maritime domain awareness and maritime asset tracking.
VBSS events will focus on countering numerous kinds of maritime threats. Teams from multiple countries board and seize ships under a number of simulated scenarios.
In all, SEACAT includes 14 ships and more than 400 personnel. US Navy units include the staff of Destroyer Squadron 7; P-8 Poseidon aircraft assigned to Task Force 72 and personnel from Task Force 73. Participants from the U.S. Coast Guard include Maritime Security Response Team West (MSRT) and Pacific Tactical Law Enforcement Team (PACTACLET).
US Coast Guard Maritime Enforcement Specialist 1st Class Damien Renzi. Photo: US Navy
|
The US Coast Guard Maritime Security Response Team (MSRT) will conduct workshops and seminars on visit, board, search and seizure techniques in Manila, Philippines, addressing a wide-range of topics to include human trafficking, drugs and weapons smuggling and illegal fishing.
US Coast Guard Cmdr. David Negron-Alicea, Defense Threat Reduction Agency maritime advisor for US Embassy Manila, and Philippine Coast Guard Capt. Edgardo T. Hernando, commander, coast guard special operation force, led the opening ceremony for VBSS seminars in Manila.
“I challenge everyone to get to know your fellow Navy and Coast Guard participants - to observe with an open mind, share lessons that you’ve learned and best practices for the future,” said Negron-Alicea. “By the end of the workshop, I look forward to seeing teams comprised of operators from each of the different partner nations here today working together and achieving success.”
SEACAT, which began in 2002 under the name “Southeast Asia Cooperation Against Terrorism”, was renamed in 2012 to expand the scope of training among regional navies and coast guards.
The goal of the SEACAT exercise is to bring together regional nations to engage in “real world, real time” training designed to enhance their ability to communicate, coordinate and counter illegal smuggling and piracy.
The exercise emphasizes realistic training scenarios wherein exercise participants will practice identifying, tracking and boarding of vessels participating in the exercise.
17:10, 2024/10/25
Hanoi students honored for creative logo celebrating German-Vietnamese ties
The red, yellow and black logo designed by two students from Hanoi has won the logo design competition to mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Germany and Vietnam.
10:44, 2024/10/06
Vietnam condemns violence by Chinese authorities in Hoang Sa
Vietnam expresses its discontent and vehement objection to the brutal actions of Chinese law enforcement authorities in the Hoang Sa archipelago, which have resulted in Vietnamese fishermen being injured, their lives threatened and their property damaged.
19:03, 2024/09/14
Hanoi set to pilot centralized government services
The centralized building and those of its branches for government services would be equipped with the latest facilities and technologies.
15:15, 2024/09/02
Vietnam National Day: Insights from expats
Vietnam’s glorious history and national pride on National Day has captivated international friends in Hanoi.
18:28, 2024/08/01
Musical featuring the Spratlys to be aired
The musical shows the moving picture of the marines, who always hold their rifles firmly, ready to fulfill the mission of protecting the sacred sea and the islands of the Motherland.
17:19, 2024/07/19
Countries recognize Vietnam’s right to claim extended continental shelf in UN submission
In a note verbal to the UN Secretary-General on its extended continental shelf claim, Vietnam reiterated that it has no bearing on the maritime delimitation between the country and its neighboring states.
- Vietnam submits limits of continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles in respect of the East Sea's Central area
- Vietnam firmly rejects any activities in violation of its sovereignty over Hoang Sa, Truong Sa
- Dien Bien Phu Battle in memories of war veterans
- Vietnamese people flock to Dien Bien Phu to commemorate resounding victory
- “Grey zone” activities cast a shadow over cooperation and peaceful prospects in East Sea
- Vietnam becomes one of first nations to sign High Seas Treaty