U.S. Coast Guard details trilateral engagements

U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) personnel are espousing the benefits of trilateral engagements with the Philippine and Japan Coast Guards.

The USCG indicated the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Stratton (WMSL 752) and crew recently arrived in Manila to conduct professional exchanges and joint operations with the Philippine and Japan Coast Guards during Stratton’s months-long Indo-Pacific deployment.

“We’re eager to join the Philippine and Japan Coast Guards and participate in meaningful engagements with our allies and partners both in port and at sea,” Stratton Commanding Officer Capt. Brian Krautler said. “This first trilateral engagement between the Coast Guards of these nations will provide invaluable opportunities to strengthen global maritime governance through professional exchanges and combined operations. Together we’ll demonstrate professional, rules-based standards of maritime operations with our steadfast partners to ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific.”

The engagement calls for Coast Guard Cutter Stratton’s crew plans to participate in professional and subject matter expert exchanges with partners and allies throughout the region – adding Stratton’s current Indo-Pacific patrol is the cutter’s second patrol in the region and one of seven national security cutter deployments to the Indo-Pacific since 2019.

The Coast Guard provides expertise in all aspects of maritime governance, within mission sets that include search and rescue; illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing; maritime environmental response; maritime security; and maritime domain awareness.