USA: Rushmore visits American Samoa during OMSI mission

By MC3 Kryzentia Weiermann, USS Rushmore Public Affairs

USS Rushmore (LSD 47) file photo. (U.S. Navy/MC2 Amanda R. Gray) >>

PACIFIC OCEAN - Whidbey Island-class amphibious dock landing ship USS Rushmore (LSD 47), with embarked U.S. Coast Guard maritime law enforcement personnel, departed American Samoa after a scheduled two-day port visit, Sept. 5.

Under the operational control of U.S. 3rd Fleet, Rushmore and embarked U.S. Coast Guard District 14 maritime law enforcement personnel departed San Diego Aug. 14 for a deployment supporting the Oceania Maritime Support Initiative (OMSI).

OMSI is a Secretary of Defense program aimed to diminish transnational illegal activity on the high seas in the Pacific Island Nations of Oceania’s exclusive economic zones (EEZ) and enhance regional security and inoperability with partner nations.

"The Rushmore crew is excited and proud to be here," Cmdr. Rob Tryon, Rushmore's executive officer said during the visit. "We look forward to continuing to build our relationships with our partners in the South Pacific and assist them in enhancing maritime security throughout the area."

USA: Acting Assistant Secretary of State Susan Thornton to Lead U.S. Delegation to the Pacific Islands Forum

Acting Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Susan Thornton will lead a high-level U.S. government delegation to the 29th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Session with Forum Dialogue Partners (PIF FDP) on September 7, 2017 in Apia, Samoa. Her visit will demonstrate U.S. commitment to our continuing close partnership with the Pacific Islands in promoting sustainable growth and prosperity, ensuring regional stability, and addressing environmental concerns.

The U.S. delegation will include senior officials from the U.S. Department of State, Department of Defense, U.S. Coast Guard, and the U.S. Agency for International Development. The PIF FDP will provide a forum for U.S. and Pacific Islands leaders to discuss issues of regional and global importance including security, climate change, marine conservation, sustainable development, and health. Acting Assistant Secretary Thornton will conduct bilateral consultations with heads of state of Pacific Islands Forum members and other senior foreign officials.

Acting Assistant Secretary Thornton will host a roundtable with Pacific Islands leaders. While in Samoa, she will also tour a U.S. Department of Defense’s Overseas Humanitarian, Disaster, and Civic Aid (OHDACA) funded school renovation project at Safata College and speak at a reception honoring recipients of U.S. Embassy Apia’s public diplomacy grant funding.

US State Department

USA: USS Rushmore to support Oceania Maritime Security Initiative

From U.S. 3rd Fleet Public Affairs

USS Rushmore (LSD 47) file photo. (U.S. Navy/MC2 Amanda R. Gray) >>

PACIFIC OCEAN - The Whidbey Island-class amphibious dock landing ship USS Rushmore (LSD 47), with embarked U.S. Coast Guard District 14 maritime law enforcement personnel, departed San Diego in support of Oceania Maritime Security Initiative (OMSI), Aug. 14.

OMSI is a secretary of defense program aimed to diminish transnational illegal activity on the high seas in the Pacific Island Nations of Oceania's exclusive economic zones (EEZ) and enhance regional security and interoperability with partner nations.

"Illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing undermines efforts to conserve and manage global fish stocks,” said Lt. Kenji Awamura, Coast Guard 14th District response enforcement. “The goal of combined efforts by the Navy and Coast Guard through the Oceania Maritime Security Initiative mission is to deter these devastating practices. In partnership with Australia, New Zealand, France, and the Pacific Island Nations, OMSI further promotes economic and environmental stability throughout Oceania."

News Story: Senate OKs ‘Indispensable’ Palau Compact In NDAA

By COLIN CLARK

WASHINGTON: If the Pacific is the most important theater, then the islands of Palau are surely among the most important pieces of real estate for the US. As we reported earlier, however, the House Armed Services Committee didn’t seem to accept this when they dropped language from the 2018 National Defense Authorization Act authorizing payment due to Palau for exclusive US military access to the islands.

China, of course, would love to wedge itself into Palau, as they have done so successfully in other Pacific island states such as Fiji.

The news here is that Sen. John McCain’s Senate Armed Services Committee did approve the Palau Compact language, as we predicted. The Trump Administration admonished the House in its Statement of Administration Policy on the 2018 NDAA: “Failure to approve the CRA could imperil ongoing national security initiatives with the Republic of Palau and destabilize United States access and influence in a region that is increasingly contested by China.”

Read the full story at Breaking Defense

AUS: Marking the end of RAMSI

The Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI) will come to a close on 30 June 2017 after nearly 14 years of assistance provided to the Solomon Islands Government.

Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Marise Payne, acknowledged the significant Defence contribution to RAMSI.

“The outstanding success of RAMSI reflects the enduring commitment of Australia and its regional partners in working together to assist the people of the Solomon Islands,” Minister Payne said.

“As an Australian-led mission, RAMSI included assistance from 15 nations and supported the rebuilding of peace and stability in the Solomon Islands.

“The Defence contribution to RAMSI under Operation ANODE has been significant with more than 7,000 Australian Defence Force (ADF) members and Defence civilians deployed to the Solomon Islands with rotations of Defence Force personnel from Fiji, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Tonga.”

USA: USS Michael Murphy completes OMSI mission

By MC3 Danny Kelley

Fire Controlman 2nd Class James Masterson disembarks a fishing vessel Feb. 8 during an Oceania Maritime Security Initiative (OMSI) boarding mission. (U.S. Navy/MC3 Danny Kelley) >>

PACIFIC OCEAN - The U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Navy completed an 18-day joint mission in the Central and South Pacific under the Oceania Maritime Security Initiative (OMSI) to combat transnational crimes, enforce fisheries laws and enhance regional security, Feb. 18.

A Coast Guard law enforcement detachment from Pacific Tactical Law Enforcement Team (LEDET) 103 embarked USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112) and conducted 16 fisheries enforcement boardings with the assistance of the ship’s visit, board, search and seizure team and law enforcement ship riders from Tuvalu and Nauru.

“While OMSI is an operational mission in nature, its execution has vast strategic implications for the Oceanic region,” said Cmdr. Robert A. Heely Jr., commanding officer of Michael Murphy. “Our patrol reinforced our strong support to the security and economic prosperity of the Pacific Island Nations.”

Five of the boardings were conducted on the high seas under the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission guidelines with zero violations, while the other 11 were conducted in the exclusive economic zones (EEZ) of Tuvalu and Nauru, with no violations in either zone.

USA: USS Michael Murphy arrives in Solomon Islands

From USS Michael Murphy Public Affairs

USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112) operates in the Pacific, Feb. 7, while supporting an Oceania Maritime Security Initiative mission. (U.S. Navy/MC3 Danny Kelley) >>

HONARIA, Solomon Islands - The guided-missile destroyer USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112) arrived in Honiara for a goodwill port visit, Feb. 10.

Ship visits like this create opportunities for the United States and Pacific Island nations to strengthen security cooperation and ensure a safer and more prosperous future for the region.

While in Honiara, Michael Murphy Commanding Officer Cmdr. Robert A. Heely Jr. will meet with Forum Fisheries Agencies and the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force.

Michael Murphy will also conduct a memorial ceremony, Feb. 11, to honor the Sailors, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen who died during the Battle of Guadalcanal. During the ceremony, U.S. Coast Guard Chief Warrant Officer Fred Mann, who recently passed away, will be honored. Mann was a World War II Guadalcanal survivor and Silver Star recipient for his actions aboard USS George F. Elliot where he valiantly fought Japanese forces off Guadalcanal Aug. 8, 1942.

USA: USS Michael Murphy visits Fiji ahead of Oceania maritime security operations

From U.S. 3rd Fleet Public Affairs

Ensign Christa Ratcliff and other Sailors man the rails as USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112) arrives in Suva for a port visit, Jan. 27. (U.S. Navy/MC3 Danny Kelley) >>

SAN DIEGO - The guided-missile destroyer USS Michael Murphy (DDG 112) arrived in Suva, Fiji, for a routine port visit, Jan. 27.

Ship visits like these provide excellent opportunities for the United States and Pacific Island Nations to strengthen theater security cooperation and help to ensure a safer and more prosperous future for the region.

While in Suva, the crew will actively engage with the local community by hosting a welcome reception on board the ship. They will also participate in community relations events and a friendly soccer match.

Commanded by Cmdr. Robert A. Heely Jr., the ship and crew of more than 300 Sailors departed Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam for a regularly scheduled Western Pacific deployment with the Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group as part of the U.S. Pacific Fleet-led initiative to extend the command and control functions of U.S. 3rd Fleet into the Indo-Asia-Pacific region, Jan. 13.

News Story: Australia increases Pacific disaster relief

SYDNEY, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- Australia has upped its disaster relief for the Pacific in an attempt to appeasing regional leaders while continuing it's fossil-fuel policies.

Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on Friday announced an 80-million-Australian dollar (60.91-million-U.S. dollar) increase to the low-lying Pacific islands vulnerable to climate change at the Pacific Island Forum (PIF) in Micronesia.

The four-year 300-million-Australian dollar package (228.41-million-U.S. dollar) will be used on engineering projects to protect against flooding from cyclones, early warning systems and rain water catchment tanks, Turnbull said.

"For Australia, there is no more pressing need for regional action than on climate change and resilient development," Turnbull told the PIF leaders summit.

Australia and New Zealand were both admonished at the 2015 summit - which preceded the Paris climate talks - for not committing to stronger action on climate change.

Read the full story at Xinhua

USA: Assistant Secretary Russel to Lead U.S. Delegation to the Pacific Islands Forum

Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel R. Russel will lead a high-level U.S. government delegation to the 28th Pacific Islands Forum Post-Forum Dialogue (PIF PFD) on September 11 in Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia. His visit will advance the Obama Administration’s rebalance to the Asia-Pacific and demonstrate the U.S. commitment to cooperate with the Pacific Islands across the breadth of common economic, environmental, and security interests.

The U.S. delegation will include senior officials from the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Department of State, and U.S. Agency for International Development. The PIF PFD will provide a forum for U.S. and Pacific Island leaders to discuss issues of regional and global importance including climate change, marine conservation, sustainable development, and health security. Assistant Secretary Russel will conduct bilateral consultations with heads of state of Pacific Islands Forum members and other senior foreign officials.

Assistant Secretary Russel will participate in a wreath-laying ceremony to honor citizens of the Federated States of Micronesia who died serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. He will attend a reception celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Peace Corps program in Micronesia, the oldest in the Pacific region.

US State Department

News Story: Pacific Islands to firm collective stance on regional issues prior to U.S. election

Three of the major groups of islands in the Pacific Ocean
(Image: Wiki Commons)

SYDNEY, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- The Pacific Islands are looking to firm their collective stance on key regional integration and cooperation issues at the triennial Pacific Island Conference of Leaders as preparations are made for a political change in the United States.

The 20 heads of government of the Pacific Islands will meet in Hawaii on Wednesday to discuss a range of issues, including maritime disputes, economic stability and the "constant threat of extreme weather caused by climate change."

"Pacific Islands nations cannot take on these issues alone, we must partner with other like-minded nations and stand for our interests in the global community," the conference's chair, Papua New Guinea (PNG) Prime Minister Peter O'Neill said on Tuesday.

O'Neill said the meeting's timing is important, allowing the Pacific's collective views and positions to strengthen before a change in the U.S. government.

Read the full story at Xinhua

News Story: Multinational force improving lives in Pacific islands - New Zealand military

Tropic Twilight 2016 – from left, Flying Officer Chloe Lowndes RAAF, SPC Hustin Trusso, USA Guam Army, SPR Jared Humphries, NZ Army and Cadet Lui Jian Bang, China. >>

WELLINGTON, July 15 (Xinhua) -- A New Zealand-led military force - including troops from China and the United States - has begun building community projects to improve water storage and sanitation in the Pacific island nation of Tonga, the New zealand Defence Force (NZDF) said Friday.

The construction work was part of Exercise Tropic Twilight 2016 in Lifuka and Foa, the two main islands in Tonga's Ha'apai island group, said Lieutenant Colonel Josh Wineera, the NZDF Task Force Commander and Senior National Officer.

Nine 10,000-litre water storage tanks were being installed at churches, the fire station and city hall in Pangai, the administrative capital village of Ha'apai, Wineera said in a statement.

Engineers from His Majesty's Armed Forces Tonga, the New Zealand Army, China's People's Liberation Army and the United States Army were also building a toilet block near the Pangai Ferry Terminal, a high-traffic location.

Read the full story at Xinhua

USA: Pacific Surface Action Group visits Singapore

From U.S. Third Fleet Public Affairs

USS Spruance (DDG 111), part of of U.S. 3rd Fleet's Pacific Surface Action Group, arrives at Changi Naval Base for a port visit. (U.S. Navy/MC2 Joshua Fulton) >>

SINGAPORE - The guided-missile destroyers USS Decatur (DDG 73), USS Momsen (DDG 92) and USS Spruance (DDG 111) arrived in Singapore July 2 for a port visit.

While in port, the crews will have the opportunity to experience the captivating culture and warm hospitality of Singapore through community service projects and Morale, Welfare and Recreation sponsored events.

Decatur, Momsen, Spruance and embarked “Devil Fish” and “Warbirds” detachments of Helicopter Strike Squadron (HSM) 49 are part of a Pacific Surface Action Group (PAC SAG), operating under Commander, Destroyer Squadron 31 (CDS 31).

USA: Task Force Koa Moana to start training exercise in Fiji and Tonga

Approximately 200 Marines, Sailors and Coast Guardsmen from I Marine Expeditionary Force (I MEF) and III Marine Expeditionary Force (III MEF), U.S. Navy 7th Fleet, and U.S. Coast Guard's 14th District enforcement staff and Maritime Safety and Security Team, Honolulu personnel will participate in Exercise Koa Moana 16-2 and 16-4 scheduled from May to December. The service members will conduct theater security cooperation events in Asia-Pacific with several partner nations, including Timor Leste, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, and Fiji with exercise in Fiji and Tonga scheduled for July.

Exercise Koa Moana, meaning ocean warrior, is designed to improve interoperability and enhance military-to-military relations. The exercise will give U.S. service members exposure to different types of terrain and familiarity of the region to improve their ability to respond in the event of a natural disaster. Koa Moana provides a unique training opportunity for building stronger relationships and promoting capacity for training.

The current 16-2 iteration will focus primarily on enhancing partnerships, improving U.S. Marines’ expeditionary proficiency and military engineering capabilities between the partners, while follow-on iterations will also feature U.S. Pacific Fleet forces and other units assigned to Marine Forces Pacific. Through continued multilateral training, the partnership between the U.S and its regional partners is enhanced and strengthened to ensure the security and stability of the Asia-Pacific region. Koa Moana 16-2, like all multilateral training exercises, is dedicated to maintaining a flexible and effective force in readiness and is not connected to any current events. 

US Embassy - Suva/Fiji/Kiribati/Nauru/Tonga/Tuvalu

News Story: Pacific island nations, U.S. agree to new multilateral tuna access, aid deal

SYDNEY, June 28 (Xinhua) -- The impasse on fishing access for the U.S. tuna fleet into one of the world's most lucrative fisheries islands has ended after the Pacific islands and the United States agreed to a new multilateral access and aid treaty.

Administered by the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Fisheries Agency (FFA), the 28-year-old South Pacific Tuna Treaty was on the verge of collapse in the first half of 2016 following a significant impasse on fishing access fees following the collapse in tuna prices last year.

The treaty is the Pacific's most important aid, trade and geopolitical agreement governing the U.S. fleet's access to the Skipjack Tuna fishery in the South Pacific, providing much needed aid via the purchase of fishing days, or fishing effort, as well as fisheries surveillance by the U.S. military.

The treaty's negotiation, which had been on shaky ground over the past five months, ended at the weekend with an agreement to give the U.S. tuna fleet more flexibility in their access while the pacific nations get more control over their maritime Exclusive Economic Zones.

Read the full story at Xinhua

USA: USS Spruance patrols South China Sea

By MC2 Will Gaskill, USS Spruance (DDG 111) Public Affairs

Ensign James Schlup and Chief Electrician’s Mate Hector Ortiz monitor surface activity during a routine patrol in the South China Sea by USS Spruance (DDG 111). (U.S. Navy/MC2 Will Gaskill) >>

SOUTH CHINA SEA - The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance (DDG 111) is on a routine patrol in the South China Sea as part of a Pacific Surface Action Group (PAC SAG) deployment to the Indo-Asia-Pacific.

“Spruance is currently operating in the South China Sea in support of maritime security and stability of all nations, especially in the Indo-Asian-Pacific,” said Cmdr. Manuel Hernandez, commanding officer of Spruance. “Spruance is ready and capable. The Spruance team has trained extensively for this deployment.” Spruance recently completed Oceania Maritime Security Initiative (OMSI) in the Central and Western Pacific with the U.S. Coast Guard and regional partner nations.

Spruance departed homeport in San Diego on April 19 and remained under the operational control of Commander, 3rd Fleet, shifting operational and tactical control to Commander, 7th Fleet and Destroyer Squadron 15, depending on individual mission tasking while in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. Spruance is accompanied in the PAC SAG by Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Decatur (DDG 73) and USS Momsen (DDG 92).

“In the past two weeks, we have operated in the Eastern Pacific with the U.S. Coast Guard and Pacific Island partners. Now, we are conducting operations in the South China Sea,” Hernandez said. “The versatility to conduct multiple missions proves our capability to execute a variety of maritime operations across thousands of miles of ocean.”

The PAC SAG initiative is designed to leverage the technological and tactical assets of the three modern destroyers, allowing for a quick response to virtually any situation in the region.

US Pacific Fleet

USA: Coast Guard, Navy complete joint fisheries patrol in Oceania

By Chief Petty Officer Sara Mooers, U.S. Coast Guard District 14 Hawaii

A U.S. Coastguardsman assigned to Pacific Tactical Law Enforcement Team Detachment 108, a Palauan law enforcement official and a Sailor assigned to USS Spruance (DDG 111) inspect a foreign fishing vessel June 3 as part of the Oceania Maritime Security Initiative. (U.S. Navy/MC2 Will Gaskill) >>

HONOLULU - The Coast Guard and Navy completed a 40-day joint mission in the Central and South Pacific under the Oceania Maritime Security Initiative to combat transnational crimes, enforce fisheries laws and enhance regional security, June 6.

A Coast Guard law enforcement detachment from Pacific Tactical Law Enforcement Team Detachment 108 embarked USS Spruance (DDG 111) and conducted 20 fisheries enforcement boardings with the assistance of the Navy's visit, board, search and seizure team and enforcement shipriders from the Federated States of Micronesia and Palau.

"OMSI demonstrates the ability to partner with not only military agencies, but local agencies," said Cmdr. Manuel Hernandez, commanding officer of Spruance. "The ability to leverage the unique capacity and capabilities of the U.S. Navy, the U.S. Coast Guard and their experience in law enforcement, USDAO, Foreign Fisheries Agency, and our partner nations in the area in support of the security and stability, and therefore the prosperity of the Asia-Pacific region is incredible."

AUS: Contract signed for replacement Pacific Patrol Boats

Austal's Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement Design (Click to Enlarge)

The Turnbull Government today signed a contract with Austal Ships Pty Ltd to build and sustain up to 21 steel-hulled vessels to replace the existing fleet of Pacific Patrol Boats as part of Australia’s new Pacific Maritime Security Program.

As part of the $280 million (ex-GST) contract Austal will design and construct the first 19 vessels in Henderson, securing more than 120 jobs for Western Australia.

Two vessels have also been offered to a new member of the Program, Timor-Leste, with an option for these additional vessels to be constructed by Austal at an agreed fixed price should Timor-Leste accept the offer.

Austal has also been awarded a $24 million (ex-GST) contract to provide support services to the replacement vessels for an initial seven-year period. The total investment in support and sustainment of the vessels, including the conduct of deep maintenance in Cairns, Queensland, is estimated at more than $400 million across the life of the vessels.

Industry: Austal selected as preferred tenderer for Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement project

Austal Limited (Austal) (ASX:ASB) is pleased to announce it has been awarded preferred tenderer status by the Commonwealth of Australia for the Pacific Patrol Boats Replacement (PPBR) Project.

The PPBR project involves the construction of up to 21 steel-hulled patrol vessels and through life sustainment over 30 years in a total Government expenditure of up to $900 million. Austal’s share of the PPBR program will include the construction of the vessels and short to medium term maintenance components of the project.

Austal will now work with the Commonwealth of Australia to complete documentation and finalise the contract over the coming weeks. Full details will be provided to the market when the contract is finalised.

Austal plans to construct the Pacific Patrol Boats in its shipyard in Henderson, WA, with through-life support to be performed at Austal’s existing facility in Cairns, Queensland. The vessels will replace the existing Pacific Patrol Boat fleet, which is approaching the end of its service life, and will assist Pacific Island countries to continue to take an active part in securing their own extensive Exclusive Economic Zones.

USA: William P. Lawrence Wraps Up OMSI, Rejoins Great Green Fleet

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Emiline L. M. Senn

In this file photo, USS William P. Lawrence (DDG 110) sits in the vicnicty of a fishing vessel while supporting a boarding and inspection in February as part of the Oceania Maritime Security Initiative. (U.S. Navy/MC3 Emiline L. M. Senn) >>

WATERS TO THE EAST OF THE KOREAN PENINSULA - Guided-missile destroyer USS William P. Lawrence (DDG 110) rejoined the John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group (JCSSG) March 11, upon completion of her Oceania Maritime Security Initiative (OMSI) tasking in the Western Pacific.

The JCSSG is the centerpiece of the U.S. Navy's Great Green Fleet, a yearlong initiative highlighting efforts to reshape energy use to increase operational capability and flexibility.

Despite her disaggregation from the JCSSG, Lawrence has continued to play her part as an integral asset of the Great Green Fleet. During the first two months of her deployment Lawrence used a blend of alternative biofuel and adopted additional fuel conservation procedures.

The result: sustained and independent operations at sea.