U.S. Navy, Coast Guard begin Oceania security patrol
Commander/U.S. 3rd Fleet Public Affairs
The United States Navy and U.S. Coast Guard began a joint patrol in March 2023 in the Western Pacific under the Oceania Maritime Security Initiative (OMSI) to counter illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, combat transnational crime and enhance regional security.
“OMSI is imperative to ensure that the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) agreement is upheld within the Indo-Pacific region,” said Cmdr. Richard Skinnell, commanding officer of the Navy’s primary participating unit, the Independence-variant, littoral combat ship USS Mobile, pictured. “This initiative allows us the opportunity to work jointly with other branches of the military, as well as our allies and partners.”
OMSI improves maritime security and domain awareness by enabling Coast Guard personnel to conduct maritime law enforcement operations from Navy ships. These joint and combined operations ensure the U.S. military honors its commitments to allies and partners.
“Collaborating with our partners throughout Oceania is essential in ensuring a free and open Blue Pacific,” said Cmdr. Jeff Bryant, chief of enforcement, U.S. Coast Guard District 14. “It is a privilege, and we are proud to support the Federated States of Micronesia through dedicated partnership in the effort to maintain maritime governance and preserve maritime sovereignty.”
The WCPFC international fisheries agreement prioritizes conservation and sustainable use of highly migratory fish stocks.
“The U.S. Coast Guard is always ready and looking forward to executing the OMSI mission alongside our U.S. Navy partners,” Bryant said.
USS Mobile, with an embarked Coast Guard detachment from the Pacific Tactical Law Enforcement Team, supports maritime law with partner nations by enforcing the WCPFC agreement and suppressing illicit activities. The ship can maneuver quickly, and its flight deck can accommodate manned and unmanned aviation assets.
As part of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, U.S. 3rd Fleet provides the realistic, relevant training necessary to execute the U.S. Navy’s mission across the spectrum of military operations, from combat to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. U.S. 3rd Fleet works with allies and partners to advance freedom of navigation, the rule of law and other principles that underpin regional security.
IMAGE CREDIT: ERIC PARSONS/U.S. NAVY
