By Naina Rao
(KPRG/Pacific Island Times) The multinational naval exercise Pacific Vanguard 2024 kicked off on Aug. 24 in Guam, bringing together approximately 1,500 military personnel from the United States, Japan, Canada and Korea.
Pacific Vanguard 2024 features a range of maritime operations, including anti-submarine warfare, air defense operations, and advanced maneuvering scenarios, all at sea. The exercise also conducted live-fire missile exercises simulating the interception of threatening targets.
Now in its sixth iteration, the exercise aims to improve the participating countries' ability to respond jointly to crises and contingencies in the Indo-Pacific region.
It comes amid concerns raised by security experts following the departure of a nuclear-powered U.S. Navy aircraft carrier from the West Pacific to the Middle East, as the fight between Israel and Hamas continues.
Rear Admiral Kazushi Yokota, commander of Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and Captain Dave Huljack, deputy commander of U.S. Navy Destroyer Squadron 15, are leading the exercise.
“We have the opportunity now to train and sail and a very challenging, dynamic environment, with an emphasis on the high-end war fight at sea,” Huljack said at a press conference held Aug, 24 at the Joint Region Marianas headquarters.
Without giving details, Yokota emphasized the importance of preserving peace and stability in the Pacific region. “We have a lot of challenges in the region to the rule-based order or maritime order [that] we have to respect,” he said.
Participating forces include two U.S. Navy ships, two Japanese ships, one Japanese submarine, and vessels from Canada and Korea. Some ships carry embarked helicopters, with additional fixed-wing aircraft support.
These activities took place in the Marianas Islands Range Complex.
Huljack clarified that environmental compliance is at the forefront of this exercise.
“We have environmental precautions in place to ensure that our ships are conducting these things appropriately and, in accordance with, international maritime norms and environmental standards,” Huljack said. “Whether that's the use of active sonar or wherever we're operating our ships.”
Pacific Vanguard 2024 focuses on enhancing interoperability among the allied forces.
"Interchangeability is the concept that we are so proficient that we can swap out with each other. It's the next level of working together as like-minded countries and allies and partners," Huljack said.
The exercise also provides an opportunity for cultural exchange. Yokota noted the importance of sailors understanding Guam's culture during their port visits.
Pacific Vanguard 2024 follows the recent RIMPAC exercise in Hawaii, which some participants said helped prepare them for this event.
"We got a lot of lessons learned on how to overcome the language barrier or how to synchronize our planning process," Yokota said, reflecting on the RIMPAC experience.
While the exercise focuses on enhancing military capabilities, leaders emphasized its role in maintaining regional stability.
"We've had 80 years of peace and prosperity here in the region and certainly it is in everybody's best interest that that peace and prosperity continue," said Rear Adm. Brent DeVore, commander of the Joint Region Marianas.
While the U.S. Navy refused to speak on intelligence matters, they confirmed that USS Rafael Peralta “interacted” with PRC vessels during its deployment.
“And all interactions were safe and professional,” said U.S. Navy Public Affairs Officer, Lt. Cmdr. Seth Koenig, adding that U.S. Navy forces regularly interact with foreign militaries at sea while forward deployed.
“We will let the Chinese and Russians militaries speak for their activities, but like any country, they are authorized in accordance with customary international law to conduct operations in international airspace and international waters,” Koenig stated in an email response. “At no point in time were any activities deemed to pose a threat to the U.S. or our partners or allies.”
When asked about concerns raised regarding the transfer of USS Abraham Lincoln to the Middle East have left the Pacific region vulnerable, Koenig said the U.S. Navy is a global force that routinely deploys across multiple areas of operation around the world.
“The U.S. 7th Fleet remains confident in our forward deployed naval forces, and alongside our partners and allies we are committed to our mission in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific,” Koenig said.
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