US, Philippine Coast Guards Hold Joint Search, Rescue Drills In South China Sea

The US Coast Guard on Tuesday, and the Philippine Coast Guard carried out a joint search and rescue exercise in the South China Sea, according to a statement from the US Indo-Pacific Command.

In a post on ‘X’ the US Indo-Pacific Command “@USCGPACAREA conducts a search and rescue exercise alongside @coastguardph, strengthening relationships and exchanging tactics that maintain peace in the #FreeAndOpenIndoPacific. @USCG | @USCGHawaiiPac | @uscgfmsg.”

The exercise featured defense personnel from the US and the Philippines, utilizing the US Coast Guard Legend-class vessel USCGC Waesche and the Philippine Coast Guard Teresa Magbanua-class patrol vessel BRP Melchora Aquino.

The commanding officer of Waesche Captin Tyson Scofield, “It was an honour to train with our partners in the Philippine Coast Guard to ensure that we are always ready to respond to save lives on the high seas. We look forward to fostering our relationship as we strive to preserve a free and open Indo-Pacific. Sharing lessons learned and best practices through person-to-person exercises is the best way to improve our ability to operate together on the unforgiving ocean”, the US Indo-Pacific Command.

The commanding officers of the US Coast Guard Legend-class cutter USCGC Waesche and the Philippine Coast Guard Teresa Magbanua-class patrol vessel BRP Melchora Aquino took part in joint training exercises. These scenarios included joint sailing, search and rescue (SAR) operations, personnel transfer evolutions, and bilateral sailing. As noted in the statement by the Indo-Pacific Command, the Waesche is assigned to Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15, which is the Navy’s largest DESRON and serves as the principal surface force of the US 7th Fleet.