Imagery Available: Coast Guard crews provide coverage for Navy, Marine Corps Arctic exercise in Alaska

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 09/19/2019 05:58 PM EDT

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News Release

  

U.S. Coast Guard 17th District Alaska
Contact: 17th District Public Affairs
Office: (907) 487-5700
After Hours: (907) 654-4112
17th District online newsroom

Coast Guard crews provide coverage for Navy, Marine Corps Arctic exercise in Alaska


SEWARD, Alaska - Maritime Safety and Security Team members from Pacific Area units provide security as USS Comstock (LSD 45) moors in Seward, Alaska, during the Arctic Expeditionary Capabilities Exercise (AECE) 2019, Sept. 16, 2019. Approximately 3,000 U.S. Navy and Marine Corps personnel participate in AECE 2019, a joint training exercise that tests expeditionary logistical capabilities in the Arctic region and prepares joint forces to respond to crises across the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Melissa E. F. McKenzie). 190915-N-RP442-0146 PACIFIC OCEAN (Sept. 15, 2019) – Airman Dominik Vancini, front, and Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 3rd Class Mariaah Romo-Cosgrove chock and chain an MH-65D, attached to Alaska Patrol Division of Air Station Kodiak, on the flight deck of San Antonio class amphibious transport dock ship USS Somerset (LPD 25) during Arctic Expeditionary Capabilities Exercise (AECE) 2019. Approximately 3,000 U.S. Navy and Marine Corps personnel participate in AECE 2019, a joint training exercise that tests expeditionary logistical capabilities in the Arctic region and prepares joint forces to respond to crises across the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jenna Dobson) 190917-N-JC800-0005 PACIFIC OCEAN (Sept. 16, 2019) – U.S. Coast Guard Aviation Survival Technician 2nd Class Evan Gallant gives safety training on the MH-65 Dolphin Helicopter, to Marines assigned to the “Flying Tigers” of Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron (HMH), in the hangar bay of the San Antonio class amphibious transport dock ship USS Somerset (LPD 25) during Arctic Expeditionary Capabilities Exercise (AECE) 2019. Approximately 3,000 U.S. Navy and Marine Corps personnel participate in AECE 2019, a joint training exercise that tests expeditionary logistical capabilities in the Arctic region and prepares joint forces to respond to crises across the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Heath Zeigler) 190915-N-RP442-0115 PACIFIC OCEAN (Sept. 15, 2019) – Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 1st Class Jason Shumaker signals to a MH-65D, attached to Alaska Patrol Division of Air Station Kodiak, onboard San Antonio class amphibious transport dock ship USS Somerset (LPD 25) during Arctic Expeditionary Capabilities Exercise (AECE) 2019. Approximately 3,000 U.S. Navy and Marine Corps personnel participate in AECE 2019, a joint training exercise that tests expeditionary logistical capabilities in the Arctic region and prepares joint forces to respond to crises across the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jenna Dobson) SEWARD, Alaska - Maritime Safety and Security Team members from Pacific Area units provide security in Seward Boat Harbor during the Arctic Expeditionary Capabilities Exercise (AECE) 2019, Sept. 16, 2019. Approximately 3,000 U.S. Navy and Marine Corps personnel participate in AECE 2019, a joint training exercise that tests expeditionary logistical capabilities in the Arctic region and prepares joint forces to respond to crises across the Indo-Pacific. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Melissa E. F. McKenzie)

Editor's Note: Click on images to download high resolution versions.

JUNEAU, Alaska — Coast Guard crews provided coverage for Navy and Marine Corps personnel participating in the Arctic Expeditionary Capabilities Exercise (AECE) 2019 in Alaska during the month of September.

The purpose of their coverage was to ensure the safety of exercise participants through the provision of search and rescue, law enforcement crews, and guidance navigating Alaskan waters throughout exercise locations.

Coast Guard 17th District aircrews operated an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter and an HC-130 Hercules airplane from Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak. The Dolphin aircrew provided search and rescue response for exercise participants and the Hercules aircrew conducted refueling operations. Members of Coast Guard Maritime Safety and Security Teams 91101 Seattle and 91105 San Francisco supported security zones around Navy assets. Coast Guard deck watch officers provided local knowledge and guidance to Naval vessel crews to ensure safe passage.

"As one of the nation’s Armed Forces, the Coast Guard integrates with the Department of Defense, including the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Marine Corps as evidenced during this exercise," said Capt. Melissa L. Rivera, chief of staff for the Seventeenth Coast Guard District, "Our helicopters, planes, equipment and personnel can fully integrate with the other military services as our HC-130 airplane is conducting refueling operations with the Navy and Marines, our MH-65 helicopter is landing on U.S. Navy assets, our Maritime Safety and Security Teams are enforcing security zones around U.S. Navy assets, and our deck watch officers embarked on U.S. Navy ships to provide local knowledge and guidance to ensure safe passage."

Additional information about AECE 2019 and previous Navy releases:

Navy, Marine Corps Conduct Arctic Exercise in Alaska
https://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=110762

USS Comstock Arrives in Kodiak, Alaska
https://www.navy.mil/submit/display.asp?story_id=110840

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