U.S. Navy kicks off 8th Annual Naval Engagement Activity with visit to Cam Ranh International Port, Vietnam

Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Amy Ressler | 170201-N-WV703-543 SOUTH CHINA SEA (Feb. 01, 2017) Littoral combat ship USS Coronado (LCS 4) is underway conducting exercises in the South China Sea. Currently on a rotational deployment in support of the Asia-Pacific Rebalance, Coronado is a fast and agile warship tailor-made to patrol the region's littorals and work hull-to-hull with partner navies, providing 7th Fleet with the flexible capabilities it needs now and in the future. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Amy M. Ressler/Released)  

CAM RAHN, VIETNAM

07.05.2017

Courtesy Story

Commander, Logistics Group Western Pacific

The U.S. Navy began the eighth annual Naval Engagement Activity (NEA) with the Vietnam People's Navy on July 5 with the arrival of USS Coronado (LCS 4) and USNS Salvor (T-ARS-52) at Cam Ranh International Port.

This five-day collaboration will focus on events and skills exchanges in diving and salvage and undersea medicine. A brief at-sea phase will allow ships from both navies to practice the Code for Unplanned Encounters at Sea (CUES), ship handling, and medical evacuations. Subject-matter expert exchanges ashore will focus on shipboard damage control, shipboard medicine, and law. NEA will also feature formal office calls, band concerts, community relations events, and team sports.

“The United States values our comprehensive partnership with Vietnam and we look forward to deepening our relationship and people-to-people ties through engagements like NEA,” said Rear Adm. Don Gabrielson, commander, Task Force 73. “By working and interacting together regularly we foster meaningful relationships and trust between our nations that contribute to the peace and prosperity of the region.”

This is the first time the event is being held in Khanh Hoa Province and the eighth iteration of NEA Vietnam since it was established as an annual engagement in 2010. Previous NEAs were held in Da Nang.

"Our partnership with the Vietnam People's Navy continues to grow stronger each year," said Capt. Alexis T. Walker, commodore, Destroyer Squadron 7. "We're excited to have the opportunity to work alongside our partners here in Vietnam and build off the success of last year's engagement."

In addition to USS Coronado and USNS Salvor, U.S. units participating in Naval Engagement Activity Vietnam include personnel from Task Force 73, Destroyer Squadron 7, and the U.S. 7th Fleet Band.

“These naval activities underscore the deepening and diverse relationship between the United States and Vietnam. Our security cooperation was an important discussion point during the recent meeting between President Trump and Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc,” noted U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam Ted Osius.

This year marks the 22nd anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between the United States and Vietnam. NEAs were designed to foster mutual understanding, build confidence in the maritime domain and develop relationships between the people and navies of both nations.

Commander, Task Force 73 and Destroyer Squadron 7 staff conduct advanced planning, organize resources and directly support the execution of NEA Vietnam, in addition to maritime exercises such as the bilateral Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) series and the multilateral Southeast Asia Cooperation and Training (SEACAT) with Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.

• Date Taken: 07.05.2017
• Date Posted: 07.04.2017 21:02
• Story ID: 240053
• Location: CAM RAHN, VN