Nagkasa ang Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) at United States Coast Guard (USCG) ng joint maritime exercise sa bahagi ng Subic Bay, Zambales noong Martes, August 31, 2021.
Representante ng PCG sa maritime exercise sa mga unit sa ilalim ng Task Force Pagsasanay kabilang ang BRP Gabriela Silang (OPV-8301, BRP Sindangan (MRRV-4407), BRP Capones (MRRV-4404), PCG-manned Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) vessel, BRP Lapu-Lapu (MMOV-5001), at airbus helicopter na CGH-1451.
Ipinadala naman ng USCG ang USCG Cutter Munro (WMSL 755) kasama ang Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) Scan Eagle.
Kabilang sa aktibidad ng PCG at USCG ang exercises sa vessel communication, search and rescue (SAR), small boat operation, multi-vessel maneuvering, at emergency response operation sa distressed situations.
Sakay din ang mga miyembro ng PCG sa USCG Cutter Munro (WMSL 755) nang ilunsad ang UAS para makatulong sa SAR operation.
Nagsilbi ang inisyatibo bilang oportunidad para sa matalakay ng PCG at USCG ang mga mahuhusay na kasanayan at matuto sa isa’t isa.
Ayon kay PCG Commandant, Admiral George V Ursabia Jr., naging instrumento ang matibay na relasyon ng PCG at USCG sa modernisasyon ng armed service at pagiging propesyonal sa pamamagitan ng collaborative engagements at technical exchange programs.
“The success of the joint maritime exercise between the PCG and USCG will not only strengthen international partnerships for immediate response to calamities and disasters but will also ensure that our personnel could effectively perform their mandated functions in countering terrorism and other acts of lawlessness in our country’s waters,” dagdag ni Ursabia.
Binati naman ni USCG Cutter Munro (WMSL 755) Commanding Officer Captain Blake Novak ang pagiging professionalism at hospitality ng PCG.
“As the maritime security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region become increasingly complex, partnering with our Coast Guard counterparts is vital to our shared interest in a free and open maritime environment,” ani Novak.