Guam and other islands in Micronesia continue to be an important area of activity for the United States, with defined relationships for countries in Micronesia, as the U.S. also maintains relationships throughout the Pacific.
Navies from the U.S. and Korea took part in a biennial anti-submarine warfare exercise called Silent Shark “in the vicinity of Guam” on Oct. 22. The Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Topeka – homeported in Hawaii – took part in the exercise, as did a Korean submarine and maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft, according to an Oct. 25 release. The Korean submarine – ROKS Jung Ji – made several port visits, the release said.
Exercises were held with the Singapore Navy in June “in the waters near Guam” according to the U.S. Pacific Command, as was an annual exercise with four countries in March.
Branches of the U.S. military conduct a variety of exercises annually in the Micronesian region. These have economic value to the islands when personnel are allowed shore leave or conduct various community relations projects.
The U.S. Coast Guard in Guam has increased relations with countries that have relations with the U.S. through the Compacts of Free Association, to advance maritime partnership and promote regional stability, according to U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia/Sector Guam.
Following the signing of an expanded bilateral law enforcement agreement in August, from Oct. 6 to Oct. 13, representatives of the U.S. Coast Guard and Palau “embarked on a series of meetings and initiatives to advance maritime partnership and promote regional stability,” according to a release.
In September a delegation went from Guam to the Marshall Islands. “The visit underscores CGFM/SG's strengthened role as the primary facilitator of the cooperative relationship between the U.S. Coast Guard and the RMI, reinforcing longstanding ties,” the Coast Guard in Guam said in October. The Coast Guard “will continue to hold a significant role in the regular Joint Committee Meetings,” it said.
Joint Committee meetings are held with Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Marshall Islands with the primary aim of discussing defense and security issues. Items discussed frequently include agreements to deter illegal activity at sea.
Illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing is one of the biggest threats to global ocean sustainability. According to the Pew Charitable Trusts, in a report released Aug. 2, “Researchers estimate that at least one in five fish caught globally are caught illegally, with a total cost to coastal nations [of] between U.S. $10 billion and $23 billion a year.” mbj
Navies from the U.S. and Korea took part in a biennial anti-submarine warfare exercise called Silent Shark “in the vicinity of Guam” on Oct. 22. The Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Topeka – homeported in Hawaii – took part in the exercise, as did a Korean submarine and maritime patrol and reconnaissance aircraft, according to an Oct. 25 release. The Korean submarine – ROKS Jung Ji – made several port visits, the release said.
Exercises were held with the Singapore Navy in June “in the waters near Guam” according to the U.S. Pacific Command, as was an annual exercise with four countries in March.
Branches of the U.S. military conduct a variety of exercises annually in the Micronesian region. These have economic value to the islands when personnel are allowed shore leave or conduct various community relations projects.
The U.S. Coast Guard in Guam has increased relations with countries that have relations with the U.S. through the Compacts of Free Association, to advance maritime partnership and promote regional stability, according to U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia/Sector Guam.
Following the signing of an expanded bilateral law enforcement agreement in August, from Oct. 6 to Oct. 13, representatives of the U.S. Coast Guard and Palau “embarked on a series of meetings and initiatives to advance maritime partnership and promote regional stability,” according to a release.
In September a delegation went from Guam to the Marshall Islands. “The visit underscores CGFM/SG's strengthened role as the primary facilitator of the cooperative relationship between the U.S. Coast Guard and the RMI, reinforcing longstanding ties,” the Coast Guard in Guam said in October. The Coast Guard “will continue to hold a significant role in the regular Joint Committee Meetings,” it said.
Joint Committee meetings are held with Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Marshall Islands with the primary aim of discussing defense and security issues. Items discussed frequently include agreements to deter illegal activity at sea.
Illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing is one of the biggest threats to global ocean sustainability. According to the Pew Charitable Trusts, in a report released Aug. 2, “Researchers estimate that at least one in five fish caught globally are caught illegally, with a total cost to coastal nations [of] between U.S. $10 billion and $23 billion a year.” mbj