U.S. Coast Guard Munro (WMSL 755) conducted operations and exercises with the Indonesian Maritime Safety Agency and Coast Guard, Badan Keamanan Laut (known as BAKAMLA), on September 20, in the Singapore Strait.

Together, the crews participated in ship-to-ship communication exercises, multi-unit maneuvers and maritime domain knowledge at sea.

“These maritime exercises with our Indonesian partners forge a stronger relationship, allowing our respective crews to work together and leverage each other’s strengths,” said Munro’s commander, Captain Blake Novak. “Strengthening our alliances and partnerships fosters our unified commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific and promotes peace, security, prosperity and the sovereign rights of all nations. “

The US Coast Guard’s partnership with Indonesia continues to grow. In 2019, Coast Guard Stratton conducted engagements with BAKAMLA as part of the Western Pacific deployment, including a stopover in Batam and an exercise in Riau Islands Province. The Stratton also participated in cooperative afloat preparation and training with the Indonesian Navy in 2019.

Munro, a 418-foot national security cutter, left her home port of Alameda, Calif., In July for a multi-month deployment to the western Pacific. Operating under the tactical control of the US Navy’s 7th Fleet, the cutter and crew engage in professional exchanges and capacity building exercises with partner nations and patrol and conduct operations as directed. National security cutters like Munro have advanced command and control capabilities, aviation support facilities, rear cutter launch, and increased endurance for long-range patrols. , allowing crews to disrupt threats to national security further offshore.

“The US Coast Guard is proud to operate with the Indonesian Maritime Safety Agency and the Coast Guard to improve capabilities, strengthen maritime governance, security and promote a rules-based international order,” said the deputy. -Admiral Michael F. McAllister, Commander, US Coast Guard Pacific. Zoned. “Strengthening partnerships contributes to the maritime common good of the region in the areas of search and rescue, law enforcement, marine environmental response and other areas of mutual interest. ”

As a federal law enforcement agency and armed force, the USCG is uniquely positioned to conduct defense operations in support of combatant commanders on all seven continents. The service regularly provides forces in joint military operations around the world, including the deployment of cutters, boats, airplanes and deployable specialized forces.