US and Thai navies begin Exercise Guardian Sea

USS Halsey (DDG 97) transits the Indian Ocean. Credit: US Navy by mass communication specialist 3rd class Morgan K Nall / Released.

The US Navy and the Royal Thai Navy have jointly commenced this year’s Guardian Sea exercise in the Andaman Sea.

The anti-submarine and maritime domain awareness exercise is slated to continue for five days and will involve a series of cooperative activities that are intended to improve mutual capabilities in anti-submarine warfare.

Furthermore, the Guardian Sea exercise is expected to help enhance the sharing of information between the two navies.

Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7 commodore US Navy captain Lex Walker said: “Guardian Sea is an increasingly sophisticated and robust exercise that enables the US Navy and Royal Thai Navy to continue working closely together and learning from each other.

“Each year, as allies, our two nations are becoming increasingly capable in mutually conducting anti-submarine warfare that ensures security and stability in the maritime domain.”

US Navy assets participating in this year’s exercise include the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Halsey (DDG-97), as well as a Los Angeles-class fast attack submarine and a P-8 Poseidon aircraft.

In addition, the Royal Thai Navy is set to deploy its helicopter carrier HTMS Chakri Naruebet (CVH 911), the Khamronsin-class corvette HTMS Long Lom (FS 533) and Naresuan-class frigates HTMS Taksin (FFG 422) and HTMS Naresuan, as well as an S-70B Seahawk helicopter.

The exercise will see the two navies jointly conduct subject matter expert exchanges regarding every aspect of anti-submarine warfare, primarily focusing on tracking submarines in a wide range of conditions.

Royal Thai Navy captain Anupong Taprasob said: “The Royal Thai Navy and US Navy continue to demonstrate a strong relationship in every aspect of maritime operations.

“We are fully committed to further strengthening this partnership well into the future with even greater and more complex naval tactics, as well as maritime security exercises, each year.”