Latest news with #U.S.CoastGuard
Asahi Shimbun
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Asahi Shimbun
Japan hosts coast guard drills with U.S. and Philippines as sea tensions rise
In this photo provided by Japan Coast Guard, patrol vessels of U.S. Coast Guard, left, Japan Coast Guard, center, and Philippine Coast Guard, participate in a joint training off Kagoshima Prefecture, southern Japan, on June 20. (Japan Coast Guard via AP) Japan's coast guard on Friday held a joint exercise with counterparts from the United States and the Philippines, as the three Pacific nations beef up defense cooperation in the face of China's expanding maritime activities. The exercise came after Japan confirmed that two Chinese aircraft carriers had operated together for the first time in the Pacific in June. Japan and China had blamed each other after Tokyo complained that a Chinese fighter jet from one of the carriers flew dangerously close to Japanese reconnaissance aircraft. Friday's coast guard exercise just off Japan's southern prefecture of Kagoshima involved 350 personnel from the three countries, and was based on a scenario of a collision between vessels at high seas, a fire and crew members falling overboard. The three nation's leaders last year agreed to bolster maritime cooperation, as they expressed concern over Beijing's military maneuvers in the region. Their first joint drills were held in the Philippines in 2023. The coast guard cooperation is part of an effort to secure a 'free and open' Indo-Pacific by promoting mutual understanding and trust, Japan coast guard commander Adm. Yoshio Seguchi told a news conference Wednesday. China routinely sends coast guard vessels, warships and warplanes around disputed East China Sea islands, and recently as far as Guam, a U.S. Pacific territory with military bases. Beijing also sends coast guard vessels in the South China Sea, which it claims virtually in its entirety, clashing frequently with Philippine vessels.
Japan Today
4 hours ago
- Politics
- Japan Today
Japan hosts coast guard drills with U.S. and Philippines as sea tensions rise
Patrol vessels of the U.S. Coast Guard, left, Japan Coast Guard, center, and Philippine Coast Guard, participate in a join training off Kagoshima Prefecture on Friday. By MARI YAMAGUCHI Japan's coast guard on Friday held a joint exercise with counterparts from the United States and the Philippines, as the three Pacific nations beef up defense cooperation in the face of China's expanding maritime activities. The exercise came after Japan confirmed that two Chinese aircraft carriers had operated together for the first time in the Pacific in June. Japan and China had blamed each other after Tokyo complained that a Chinese fighter jet from one of the carriers flew dangerously close to Japanese reconnaissance aircraft. Friday's coast guard exercise just off Japan's southern prefecture of Kagoshima involved 350 personnel from the three countries, and was based on a scenario of a collision between vessels at high seas, a fire and crew members falling overboard. The three nation's leaders last year agreed to bolster maritime cooperation, as they expressed concern over Beijing's military maneuvers in the region. Their first joint drills were held in the Philippines in 2023. The coast guard cooperation is part of an effort to secure a 'free and open' Indo-Pacific by promoting mutual understanding and trust, Japan coast guard commander Adm. Yoshio Seguchi told a news conference Wednesday. China routinely sends coast guard vessels, warships and warplanes around disputed East China Sea islands, and recently as far as Guam, a U.S. Pacific territory with military bases. Beijing also sends coast guard vessels in the South China Sea, which it claims virtually in its entirety, clashing frequently with Philippine vessels. © Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Miami Herald
12 hours ago
- Politics
- Miami Herald
US Grows Defense Partnership Next Door to China
The United States has transferred a third coast guard ship to Vietnam, as the former foes expand their defense partnership amid China's growing threats in nearby disputed waters. Newsweek has contacted the Chinese defense and foreign ministries for comment by email. In 1995, the U.S. and Vietnam-former adversaries during the Vietnam War, which ended in 1975-normalized diplomatic relations. Following Washington's lifting of an arms sales ban in 2016, Hanoi acquired military equipment from its new partner, including training aircraft. The bilateral defense cooperation comes against the backdrop of tensions in the South China Sea, where overlapping sovereignty claims by countries such as Vietnam and China, as well as the strong presence of the Chinese coast guard, continue to heighten friction in the region. The U.S. Mission to Vietnam announced on Wednesday that the former U.S. Coast Guard ship USCGC Mellon has been transferred to Vietnam as the high-endurance cutter CSB 8022. The ship arrived in Ninh Hoa, south-central Vietnam, the same day following a trans-Pacific voyage that began in Seattle, with stopovers in Hawaii and Guam. The Vietnam Coast Guard received CSB 8020-formerly USCGC Morgenthau-in 2017 and CSB 8021-formerly USCGC John Midgett-in 2020. All three ships were transferred under a defense cooperation memorandum of understanding, according to the U.S. Mission. "Through this cooperation, the United States and Vietnam is enhancing the development of maritime law enforcement, search and rescue, and humanitarian and disaster relief abilities, and supporting capacity to protect sovereignty," the U.S. Mission said in a statement. The former U.S. Coast Guard vessels were built as Hamilton-class cutters designed for extended maritime operations, each weighing over 2,700 tons and having a range of 10,000 miles-the approximate straight-line distance between New York and Melbourne, Australia. This class of cutter is capable of conducting a wide range of missions, including search and rescue, defense operations, and law enforcement. The Mellon was once armed with missiles, torpedoes, and sonar, but all were later removed, according to the U.S. Coast Guard. The recent transfer of the coast guard ship comes as the U.S. and Vietnam celebrate the 30th anniversary of their diplomatic relations. However, an American aircraft carrier canceled its planned visit to Vietnam and transited toward the Middle East amid the Iran-Israel conflict. U.S. Chargé d'Affaires in Vietnam Courtney Beale said in a statement on Wednesday: "The United States and Vietnam respect each other's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political system, and remain firmly committed to supporting our shared vision of peace and stability, and of prosperity and security in the Indo-Pacific." The U.S. Mission to Vietnam said on its website: "The United States and Vietnam are trusted partners with a friendship grounded in mutual respect that has developed since the normalization of diplomatic relations on July 11, 1995. U.S.-Vietnam relations have become increasingly cooperative and comprehensive, evolving into a flourishing partnership that spans political, economic, security, and people-to-people ties." The U.S. is expected to continue its defense cooperation with countries in the South China Sea, including the Philippines, its mutual defense treaty ally. Whether Washington will provide additional military equipment to boost Vietnam's capabilities remains to be seen. Related Articles Iran Rules Out US Talks Unless Israel Halts StrikesHow to Watch Saudi Arabia vs United States: Live Stream CONCACAF Gold Cup, TV ChannelIran Threatens To Close Strait of Hormuz: What Would Happen?Former Spy Chief: 'Good Case' for US To Strike Iranian Nuclear Site 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Newsweek
15 hours ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
US Grows Defense Partnership Next Door to China
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The United States has transferred a third coast guard ship to Vietnam, as the former foes expand their defense partnership amid China's growing threats in nearby disputed waters. Newsweek has contacted the Chinese defense and foreign ministries for comment by email. Why It Matters In 1995, the U.S. and Vietnam—former adversaries during the Vietnam War, which ended in 1975—normalized diplomatic relations. Following Washington's lifting of an arms sales ban in 2016, Hanoi acquired military equipment from its new partner, including training aircraft. The bilateral defense cooperation comes against the backdrop of tensions in the South China Sea, where overlapping sovereignty claims by countries such as Vietnam and China, as well as the strong presence of the Chinese coast guard, continue to heighten friction in the region. What To Know The U.S. Mission to Vietnam announced on Wednesday that the former U.S. Coast Guard ship USCGC Mellon has been transferred to Vietnam as the high-endurance cutter CSB 8022. The ship arrived in Ninh Hoa, south-central Vietnam, the same day following a trans-Pacific voyage that began in Seattle, with stopovers in Hawaii and Guam. The Vietnam Coast Guard received CSB 8020—formerly USCGC Morgenthau—in 2017 and CSB 8021—formerly USCGC John Midgett—in 2020. All three ships were transferred under a defense cooperation memorandum of understanding, according to the U.S. Mission. "Through this cooperation, the United States and Vietnam is enhancing the development of maritime law enforcement, search and rescue, and humanitarian and disaster relief abilities, and supporting capacity to protect sovereignty," the U.S. Mission said in a statement. The former U.S. Coast Guard vessels were built as Hamilton-class cutters designed for extended maritime operations, each weighing over 2,700 tons and having a range of 10,000 miles—the approximate straight-line distance between New York and Melbourne, Australia. The Vietnam Coast Guard's high-endurance cutter CSB 8022 arrives in Ninh Hoa, Vietnam, on June 18, 2025. The Vietnam Coast Guard's high-endurance cutter CSB 8022 arrives in Ninh Hoa, Vietnam, on June 18, 2025. U.S. Mission to Vietnam This class of cutter is capable of conducting a wide range of missions, including search and rescue, defense operations, and law enforcement. The Mellon was once armed with missiles, torpedoes, and sonar, but all were later removed, according to the U.S. Coast Guard. The recent transfer of the coast guard ship comes as the U.S. and Vietnam celebrate the 30th anniversary of their diplomatic relations. However, an American aircraft carrier canceled its planned visit to Vietnam and transited toward the Middle East amid the Iran-Israel conflict. What People Are Saying U.S. Chargé d'Affaires in Vietnam Courtney Beale said in a statement on Wednesday: "The United States and Vietnam respect each other's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and political system, and remain firmly committed to supporting our shared vision of peace and stability, and of prosperity and security in the Indo-Pacific." The U.S. Mission to Vietnam said on its website: "The United States and Vietnam are trusted partners with a friendship grounded in mutual respect that has developed since the normalization of diplomatic relations on July 11, 1995. U.S.-Vietnam relations have become increasingly cooperative and comprehensive, evolving into a flourishing partnership that spans political, economic, security, and people-to-people ties." What Happens Next The U.S. is expected to continue its defense cooperation with countries in the South China Sea, including the Philippines, its mutual defense treaty ally. Whether Washington will provide additional military equipment to boost Vietnam's capabilities remains to be seen.
USA Today
2 days ago
- General
- USA Today
What details have been released in the Titan submersible implosion?
What details have been released in the Titan submersible implosion? Show Caption Hide Caption What is a catastrophic implosion? What we know about Titan submersible Officials believe a "catastrophic implosion" killed the five people in a missing Titanic submersible. Here's what that means. Just the FAQs, USA TODAY Two years after its tragic end that captured the attention of the nation and the world, details continue to emerge about the OceanGate Titan submersible and its final mission. In June 2023, five people hoping to catch an up-close and personal glimpse of the Titanic shipwreck descended in a 22-foot-long, 25,000-pound submersible made of titanium and carbon fiber. The craft was designed to dive up to 13,123 feet, according to OceanGate, meaning it should have been capable of safely reaching the wreckage site 12,500 feet below the surface. About 1 hour and 45 minutes into the dive, however, contact with Titan was lost, sparking a multi-day search and rescue mission that culminated in the discovery of debris scattered about 1,600 feet from the bow of the Titanic. In the years since, ongoing investigations have unveiled new pieces of evidence, including audio and video of Titan's fateful final moments. What happened to the OceanGate Titan submersible? On June 18, 2023, OceanGate submerged its tourist submersible, Titan, in the North Atlantic Ocean on a voyage to explore the Titanic wreckage. The submersible is believed to have imploded about 1 hour and 45 minutes after its trip began, resulting in the deaths of its five passengers. Wreckage of the vessel was later found scattered across the ocean floor, 330 yards away from the bow of the Titanic, the infamous liner that sank in 1912. The U.S. Coast Guard is continuing to investigate what caused the implosion. What caused the implosion? The U.S. Coast Guard is still investigating the accident to formally determine the cause of the Titan's implosion. In the years following the disaster, however, details about the submersible's handling have captured national attention. A series of hearings held by the Coast Guard last year brought many pieces of evidence and testimony to light, from claims that Titan was being navigated using an altered gaming controller to testimony about warnings OceanGate was reportedly given about the quality and safety of the submersible before its final descent. Public consensus thus far has primarily placed blame on the experimental design of the craft, which was ultimately unable to withstand the extreme pressures of its deep-sea dive. The state of the discovered debris was "consistent with catastrophic loss of the pressure chamber," Rear Admiral John Mauger of the U.S. Coast Guard said in the days after the accident. Who died in the OceanGate Titan submersible disaster? OceanGate founder and CEO Stockton Rush, 61, was piloting the Titan submersible at the time of the disaster. He oversaw financial and engineering strategies at the company and left behind a wife and two adult children. Hamish Harding, 58, was a British billionaire explorer who was chairman of Action Aviation, a global sales company in business aviation. He is survived by his wife and four children. A look at the victims: Who died in the OceanGate Titan submersible disaster? Paul-Henry Nargeolet, 77, was a French Navy veteran, maritime and Titanic expert and director of Underwater Research for E/M Group and RMS Titanic, Inc. He is survived by his wife, three children, stepson and grandchildren. Shahzada Dawood, 48, hailed from one of Pakistan's wealthiest families and served on the board of trustees for the Dawood Foundation, an education nonprofit based in Pakistan. Dawood is survived by a wife and daughter. Shahzada Dawood's son, Suleman Dawood, 19, was a business student at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow and had planned to join his father in working for Engro after graduating from college. Newly released footage captured moment of implosion In the wake of the Coast Gaurd hearings, a lawsuit filed by the family of one of the victims and the release of two documentaries, the BBC's "Implosion: The Titanic Sub Disaster" and Netflix's "Titan: The OceanGate Disaster," additional, sometimes sordid details, have emerged in the two years since the accident. Recently, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and U.S. Coast Guard released a 23-second-long clip in February that reportedly captured the moment of implosion. Officials called the static, followed by a boom and then silence, the "suspected acoustic signature" of the implosion. Listen: New audio of Titan submersible moments before implosion The Coast Guard has released new audio of Titan submersible's final moments before implosion. The sounds were recorded by a monitor moored approximately 900 miles from the Titan's implosion site, according to the U.S. Coast Guard. Additional footage provided to the Coast Guard by OceanGate showed the moment from the perspective of the submersible's tracking and communications team, which included Wendy Rush, CEO Stockton Rush's wife. In the clip, the team is seen monitoring data and text communications. With about 400 meters to go, a muffled thump can be heard from the Titan, prompting Rush to ask, "What was that bang?" Newly released footage captures sound of Titan submersible imploding Newly released video appeared to capture the sound of the Titan submersible imploding on its way to visit the Titanic wreck in June 2023. That sound, the Coast Guard said, "later correlated with the loss of communication and tracking," and "is believed to be the sound of the Titan's implosion reaching the surface of the ocean." The Coast Guard has yet to release the findings of its investigation. However, the hearings revealed the eerie final messages sent from the crew before it was crushed by the pressure of the ocean: "All good here." Contributing: Saman Shafiq, Elizabeth Weise, USA TODAY
