US Military Sealift Command’s dry cargo and ammunition ship USNS Lewis and Clark (T-AKE 1) is currently participating in Exercise Koa Moana 15-3.
The four-month exercise which involves embarked Marines will make stops at various locations in the Pacific Island Nations of Oceania: French Polynesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Vanuatu and Timor Leste.
The purpose of the exercise, which is slated to end late November, is to enhance senior military leader engagements between allied and partner nations with a collective interest in military-to-military and military-to-law enforcement relations.
While training with other nations, the U.S. Marine Corps will exercise key aspects of military operations, capability development and interoperability.
During the exercise—while Marines are ashore conducting exercise objectives—USNS Lewis and Clark, which is also part of Maritime Prepositioning Ships Squadron TWO (MPSRON-2), will concurrently participate in Oceanic Maritime Security Initiative (OMSI) operations in support of Maritime Law Enforcement operations by the U.S. Coast Guard.
OMSI is a Secretary of Defense program aimed to diminish transnational illegal activity on the high seas and enhance regional security and interoperability with partner nations.
The combined U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard team, with the assistance of a partner nation law enforcement authority will be looking for potential violations at sea and board the suspect vessels for further inspection.
The Lewis and Clark is currently deployed to the Commander, 7th Fleet and Commander, Task Force 73 area of operations enhancing security and stability in the Pacific region.
Image: US Navy