US Assistant Secretary Michael DeSombre announced the US is expanding its naval presence in the Asia-Pacific region to contain China, regularly sending warships to disputed waters for freedom of navigation and relocating Coast Guard ships to the Philippines and Guam.
A US Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter crashed near Sitka, Alaska. Rescue and search teams have been deployed to the crash site, with crew safety being the top priority. An investigation will follow the completion of the search-and-rescue operation.
The US military reported killing at least two people in an attack on a suspected drug trafficking boat in the eastern Pacific. This latest strike, part of Operation Southern Spear, brings the total vessels hit to over 60 and deaths to over 210 since September. Critics question the campaign's legality and effectiveness.
Senior Chief Petty Officer Thomas Hansen is the first US Coast Guard member to complete the Navy's Master Diver course, the highest qualification for enlisted military divers. His achievement opens a path for future Coast Guard divers.
US Coast Guard divers are searching the Sea of Abaco for Lynette Hooker, an American who disappeared two months ago while sailing with her husband, Brian Hooker. Discrepancies in Brian's account and recovered GPS data have prompted further investigation, including searching their sailboat docked in Florida.
The US Coast Guard seized nearly three tons of cocaine worth over $45 million off the coast of Colombia. Three boats were intercepted, and the crews were rescued after one boat was disabled. The US government's aggressive stance against drug trafficking is noted.
11 adults survived a private plane crash 129km off Florida, rescued by US Air Force Reserve and Coast Guard after 5 hours in a lifeboat.
US Air Force divers recovered a body from the wreck of the 145-foot US-registered vessel Mariana, which lost its starboard engine during Super Typhoon Sinlaku. The ship notified the US Coast Guard on April 15 that it needed help, and contact was lost the following day. Five crew members remain missing along with an orange 12-person life raft. Japan Coast Guard divers also participated in the search.
The Mariana is a 145-foot dry cargo vessel registered in the U.S. It suffered engine failure Wednesday as a massive typhoon bore down on Saipan and nearby islands.
