US, Japanese, and Philippine coast guards conclude joint exercise in Japan

The US Coast Guard (USCG), Japan Coast Guard (JCG), and Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) have completed their first trilateral search-and-rescue exercise held in Japanese waters. The exercise in Kagoshima Bay concluded with the departure of the USCG Cutter Stratton on June 20.

The exercise involved the Stratton, the JCG vessel Asanagi, and the PCG vessel BRP Teresa Magbanua. Officials noted this was the first time the trilateral exercise with the PCG has occurred outside of Philippine territorial seas, emphasizing growing cooperation among the three nations.