APRA HARBOR, Guam — Coast Guardsmen and sailors from the U.S. Navy’s Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron – 25 (HSC-25), joined with members of the Royal New Zealand Navy in an international exchange off the coast of Guam Thursday.
Prior to its scheduled port call in Guam, the frigate HMNZS Te Mana rendezvoused with the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Assateague, and an SH-60 helicopter from HSC-25 in order to conduct joint training and professional exchanges.
The exchange was comprised of several activities testing their interoperable command, control and communications capabilities, including naval gunfire support procedures, helicopter deck landing procedures, vessel boarding, search and seizure techniques.
“Engagements such as these are critical to our strong international partnerships,” said Lt. Cmdr. Morgan Roper, response department head at Coast Guard Sector Guam. “These activities allow us to learn the procedures and capabilities of our defense partners, and develop the plans which guide real-world responses.”
The United States, New Zealand, Australia and France make up the Pacific’s Quadrilateral Defense Coordinating Group; a regional mechanism to provide security, stability and humanitarian assistance to Pacific Island Nations. This group, commonly known as, the Quad Partners, also assist by conducting regular multinational law enforcement operations patrolling millions of square miles of ocean, combating piracy, illegal fishing and other transnational crimes.
