The United States Coast Guard Cutter Bertholf arrived at Port Blair harbor today, having traveled over 16,000 kilometers, to participate in a joint exercise with the Indian Coast Guard. Upon its arrival, the USCG ship was warmly received by Inspector General Neeraj Tiwari, TM, Commander Coast Guard Region, Andaman & Nicobar,
Representing DG Rakesh Pal, AVSM, PTM, TM, Director General Indian Coast Guard. This port visit and exercise underscore the deepening maritime partnership between the two nations. The visit of the Bertholf presents an opportunity for both Coast Guards to bolster their collaborative efforts and improve interoperability in crucial areas such as maritime domain awareness, Search and Rescue operations, and the enforcement of maritime law.
The USCG Ship, Bertholf, is a state-of-the-art Legend-class cutter, equipped with a medium-caliber deck gun, a helicopter landing pad, and a sophisticated array of sensors and communications equipment. Meanwhile, the Indian Coast Guard is also deploying several of its own ships and aircraft for the exercise. This isn’t the first instance of joint exercises between the U.S. and Indian Coast Guards. Back in September 2022, the USCG Cutter Midgett visited Chennai and took part in Exercise Abhyas with the Indian Coast Guard.
During their stay, the crew of the USCG Bertholf will engage with their Indian counterparts to promote international cooperation, fostering mutual trust and friendship between two esteemed maritime security agencies. Additionally, a sea exercise is scheduled as part of the visit, focusing on mutual capacity building in Search and Rescue, Pollution Response, and maritime security operations. These interactions and exercises stand as evidence of the increasing cooperation between the two countries on matters of maritime security, as highlighted in a press release from the Indian Coast Guard.
Joint Exercise in Port Blair: Enhancing Maritime Cooperation
1. Arrival of USCG Cutter Bertholf: The United States Coast Guard Cutter Bertholf arrived at Port Blair harbor today, having traveled over 16,000 kilometers, to participate in a joint exercise with the Indian Coast Guard.
2. Formal Welcome: Upon its arrival, the USCG ship was warmly received by Inspector General Neeraj Tiwari, TM, Commander Coast Guard Region, Andaman & Nicobar, representing DG Rakesh Pal, AVSM, PTM, TM, Director General Indian Coast Guard.
3. Strengthening Maritime Partnerships: This port visit and exercise underscore the deepening maritime partnership between the United States and India.
4. Areas of Collaboration: The visit of the Bertholf presents an opportunity for both Coast Guards to bolster their collaborative efforts and improve interoperability in crucial areas such as maritime domain awareness, Search and Rescue operations, and the enforcement of maritime law.
5. Cutting-Edge Equipment: The USCG Ship, Bertholf, is a state-of-the-art Legend-class cutter, equipped with a medium-caliber deck gun, a helicopter landing pad, and a sophisticated array of sensors and communications equipment.
6. Indian Coast Guard’s Participation: The Indian Coast Guard is also deploying several of its own ships and aircraft for the exercise, demonstrating their commitment to joint operations.
7. Previous Joint Exercises: This isn’t the first instance of joint exercises between the U.S. and Indian Coast Guards. Back in September 2022, the USCG Cutter Midgett visited Chennai and took part in Exercise Abhyas with the Indian Coast Guard.
8. Diplomatic Engagement: During their stay, the crew of the USCG Bertholf will engage with their Indian counterparts to promote international cooperation, fostering mutual trust and friendship between two esteemed maritime security agencies.
9. Planned Sea Exercise: Additionally, a sea exercise is scheduled as part of the visit, focusing on mutual capacity building in Search and Rescue, Pollution Response, and maritime security operations.
10. Growing Cooperation: These interactions and exercises stand as evidence of the increasing cooperation between the United States and India on matters of maritime security, as highlighted in a press release from the Indian Coast Guard.