Latest news with #USCGCStratton
Newsweek
3 days ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
US Coast Guard Teams Up With Allies Amid China Escalation
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A United States Coast Guard ship has arrived in Northeast Asia as it prepares to conduct a joint exercise with South Korean and Japanese counterparts amid escalating maritime assertiveness by China. Newsweek has contacted the Chinese defense and foreign ministries for comment by email. Why It Matters USCGC Stratton, a U.S. Coast Guard national security cutter, has been deployed in the western Pacific Ocean since early May. It arrived in the Philippines—a U.S. treaty ally with territorial disputes against China in the South China Sea—two weeks ago for an exercise. South Korea and Japan—American treaty allies—face maritime challenges from China, with the East Asian power installing structures in the Yellow Sea and East China Sea, and unilaterally declaring "no-sail zones" near the Korean Peninsula, raising concerns. What To Know U.S. Naval Forces Korea announced that the Stratton arrived at Busan naval base in South Korea on Thursday for a trilateral engagement with South Korean and Japanese coast guards to improve their "interoperability and collaboration" in the Indo-Pacific region. The exercise—scheduled to run from May 29 to June 2—is focused on joint search and rescue, in accordance with an agreement reached last year that aims to strengthen coordination among the three parties for maritime disaster response, according to the South Korean coast guard. The Stratton is also expected to conduct a second trilateral drill in Japan, which will involve the Japanese and Philippine coast guards, the U.S. Embassy in Manila previously revealed. The United States Coast Guard national security cutter USCGC Stratton arrives at Busan naval base in South Korea on May 29, 2025. The United States Coast Guard national security cutter USCGC Stratton arrives at Busan naval base in South Korea on May 29, 2025. Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Robert A. Moses/U.S. Navy "Consistent U.S. Coast Guard national security cutter deployments to the region demonstrate the U.S. commitment to strong maritime governance that supports security, freedom, and prosperity in the Western Pacific," the U.S. Coast Guard said. During its months-long deployment, the Stratton is assigned to Destroyer Squadron 15, the U.S. Seventh Fleet's principal surface force, the U.S. Coast Guard added. The Japan-based fleet maintains America's naval presence in the western Pacific and Indian Oceans. In addition to trilateral coast guard exercises, the U.S. and its Northeast Asian allies have regularly conducted joint naval drills. In mid-March, an American aircraft carrier, USS Carl Vinson, joined the Japanese and South Korean navies for a war game in the East China Sea. What People Are Saying The U.S. Coast Guard Pacific Area told Newsweek: "Stratton is currently deployed under the tactical control of [Destroyer Squadron] 15 and seeks to strengthen global maritime governance to preserve sovereignty, share information, facilitate force-multiplying partnerships, and demonstrate professionalism to reinforce the rule of law at sea." A South Korean coast guard official said on Wednesday: "This drill is even more meaningful in that it is the first joint exercise led by the ROK Coast Guard and it is an opportunity for the three countries to share real-time information and check rescue response systems as if it were a real battle." ROK stands for the Republic of Korea, the official name of South Korea. What Happens Next It remains to be seen how the U.S. Coast Guard will maintain its presence in the western Pacific Ocean in addition to its role of stopping the flow of illegal migrants and drugs to the U.S. by sea.
Newsweek
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
Photos Show US Coast Guard Ship Deployed to Contested Waters Near China
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The United States has deployed a coast guard ship to the South China Sea, where China claims sovereignty over most of the waters, to conduct operations with its Philippine ally. Newsweek has reached out to the Chinese Defense Ministry for comment by email. Why It Matters China maintains a strong coast guard presence in the South China Sea, where its sovereignty claims—based on what it calls historic rights—overlap with those of neighboring nations, including the Philippines, which has been a U.S. defense treaty ally for more than 70 years. The U.S. Coast Guard's Western Pacific deployment coincides with its ongoing mission to secure the U.S. southwest border by stopping the flow of illegal migrants and drugs at the sea, following President Donald Trump's declaration of a national emergency in January. What To Know The U.S. Coast Guard said in a Facebook post on Friday that USCGC Stratton, a 4,600-long-ton displacement Legend-class national security cutter homeported in Alameda, California, is currently deployed and assigned to the Destroyer Squadron 15 under the U.S. Seventh Fleet. The U.S. Seventh Fleet is a forward-deployed fleet based in Japan that maintains America's naval presence in the Western Pacific and Indian Oceans. The Destroyer Squadron 15 has nine assigned destroyers, a U.S. Seventh Fleet spokesperson previously told Newsweek. "With over 150 years of U.S. Coast Guard operations in this vital region, we're ramping up efforts to enhance maritime security and national defense," the U.S. Coast Guard explained. Meanwhile, photos released by the U.S. Coast Guard show the Stratton at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, in late April as it prepared for its Western Pacific patrol. It later visited the island of Guam, the U.S.'s westernmost territory in the Pacific, before departing for patrol on May 10. On Friday, the Stratton arrived in Puerto Princesa City, on Palawan Island in the Philippines, for a four-day visit, the U.S. Embassy in Manila announced, adding that the port call was aimed at strengthening the partnership between the American and Philippine coast guards. (From left) U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson, U.S. Coast Guard national security cutter USCGC Stratton commanding officer Captain Brian Krautler, and Philippine Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan stand before USCGC Stratton... (From left) U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson, U.S. Coast Guard national security cutter USCGC Stratton commanding officer Captain Brian Krautler, and Philippine Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan stand before USCGC Stratton at the Puerto Princesa Port in the Philippines on May 16, 2025. More The U.S. Embassy in the Philippines Palawan Island, the westernmost Philippine province, borders the South China Sea to the west. Chinese coast guard ships have been operating near the island, staging shows of force. Following the visit, the U.S. Coast Guard ship will conduct an exercise with the Philippine Coast Guard and Navy in the Sulu Sea, east of Palawan Island, according to the embassy. The drill will involve maritime law enforcement, as well as search and rescue operations. What People Are Saying The U.S. Coast Guard said: "Through strategic patrols with national security cutters, fast response cutters, and collaborative activities, we're committed to strengthening regional partnerships and ensuring safe, secure waters for all." The Philippine Coast Guard said: "The [USCGC Stratton's] port call highlights the ongoing efforts to strengthen the bilateral partnership between the United States and the Philippines." U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson said: "The arrival of the USCGC Stratton is a moment of pride and possibility." What Happens Next The next stop in the Stratton's deployment is Japan, where it is scheduled to take part in the second trilateral coast guard drill between the U.S., the Philippines, and Japan since June 2023.
GMA Network
19-05-2025
- General
- GMA Network
USCG cutter visits PH to help bolster bilateral partnership with PCG
The USCGC Stratton docks near the BRP Melchora Aquino during its port visit in Puerto Princesa City in Palawan from May 16 to 19, 2025. PHOTO: COAST GUARD DISTRICT PALAWAN The United States Coast Guard (USCG) Cutter Stratton recently visited the Philippines to discuss measures with the Philippine Coast Guard that aims to boost the maritime ties between Washington and Manila. The Stratton's crew led by Captain Brian Krautler conducted a port visit in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan from May 16 to 19. He was welcomed by US Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson and PCG Commandant Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan. The engagement between the Stratton and the PCG included technical consultations on operational best practices, engagements with the local community, and sports competitions. 'This is the sixth USCG cutter exchange with the PCG since 2019—a testament to the strength of our bond and the enduring value of our Alliance. These engagements are a priority as they enhance our interoperability and deepen the trust that defines our maritime partnership,' Carlson said in a statement. Meanwhile, two PCG personnel joined the Stratton's weeklong transit from Guam where they participated in various activities such as deck operations, engineering drills, and vessel mooring. From Puerto Princesa City, the Stratton also conducted an at-sea exercise with the PCG and the Philippine Navy focused on maritime law enforcement, search, and rescue, and marine environmental protection in the Sulu Sea. After the Philippines, the American ship will sail to Japan to participate in a trilateral exercise with the Philippine and Japanese coast guards. —Vince Angelo Ferreras/RF, GMA Integrated News
