As the United States and Vietnam commemorate 30 years of diplomatic relations, a significant event marked the occasion. The U.S. Mission to Vietnam announced the transfer of the high-endurance cutter CSB 8022 to the Vietnam Coast Guard (VCG). This marks an important step in defense and security cooperation between the two countries.
The vessel, previously known as the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Mellon, made its journey from Seattle, Washington, with stops in Hawaii and Guam before reaching Vietnam.
Chargé d’Affaires Courtney Beale and Major General Ngo Binh Minh, Commander of VCG Region 3, officially welcomed CSB 8022 upon its arrival in Ninh Hoa.
“Today’s delivery reflects the continued growth of security cooperation over the past 30 years of diplomatic relations,” stated Chargé d’Affaires Beale. She further emphasized that “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.”
This is the third high-endurance cutter provided under the U.S.-Vietnam Bilateral Defense Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding. It follows previous deliveries: CSB 8020 (formerly USCGC Morgenthau) in 2017 and CSB 8021 (formerly USCGC John Midgett) in 2020.
The collaboration aims to enhance maritime law enforcement capabilities, search and rescue operations, humanitarian aid efforts, disaster relief abilities, sovereignty protection capacities while contributing to regional peace, security, and stability.
For photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/usembassyhanoi/albums/72177720326931826/