Members of the Japanese Coast Guard give tactical training
Members of the Japanese Coast Guard give tactical training on how to move a body during a subject matter exchange to members of the Republic of Singapore Navy, members of the Singapore Police Coast Guard, members of the Malaysia Maritime Enforcement Agency, and Sailors onboard U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Bertholf (WMSL 750), March 3. Bertholf was in Malaysia for a multiple day engagement to engage in professional subject matter exchanges with regional partners and allies and will patrol and operate as directed during their Western Pacific deployment. (U.S. Navy photo taken by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Charlotte Duran)
U.S. Coast Guard Capt. Billy Mees, commanding officer of U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Bertholf (WMSL 750) gives a gift to a senior official in the Malaysia Maritime Enforcement Agency
U.S. Coast Guard Capt. Billy Mees, commanding officer of U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Bertholf (WMSL 750) gives a gift to a senior official in the Malaysia Maritime Enforcement Agency, March 3. Bertholf was in Malaysia for a multiple day engagement which directly supports U.S. foreign policy and national security objectives in the Indo-Pacific Strategy and the National Security Strategy. (U.S. Navy photo taken by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Charlotte Duran)
Members of the Japanese Coast Guard accept a gift from U.S. Coast Guard Capt. Billy Mees, commanding officer of U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Bertholf (WMSL 750)
Members of the Japanese Coast Guard accept a gift from U.S. Coast Guard Capt. Billy Mees, commanding officer of U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Bertholf (WMSL 750), March 3. Bertholf was in Malaysia for a multiple day engagement which directly supports U.S. foreign policy and national security objectives in the Indo-Pacific Strategy and the National Security Strategy. (U.S. Navy photo taken by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Charlotte Duran)
Sailors onboard U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Bertholf (WMSL 750) gives damage control training
Sailors onboard U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Bertholf (WMSL 750) gives damage control training during a subject matter exchange to members of the Japanese Coast Guard give training to members of the Republic of Singapore Navy, members of the Singapore Police Coast Guard and members of the Malaysia Maritime Enforcement Agency, March 3. Bertholf was in Malaysia for a multiple day engagement to engage in professional subject matter exchanges with regional partners and allies and will patrol and operate as directed during their Western Pacific deployment. (U.S. Navy photo taken by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Charlotte Duran)
Members of the Republic of Singapore Navy pose for a photo while eating lunch onboard U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Bertholf
Members of the Republic of Singapore Navy pose for a photo while eating lunch onboard U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Bertholf (WMSL 750), March 3. Bertholf was in Malaysia for a multiple day engagement which directly supports U.S. foreign policy and national security objectives in the Indo-Pacific Strategy and the National Security Strategy. (U.S. Navy photo taken by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Charlotte Duran)
Members of the Japanese Coast Guard give training to members of the Republic of Singapore Navy
Members of the Japanese Coast Guard give training to members of the Republic of Singapore Navy, members of the Singapore Police Coast Guard, members of the Malaysia Maritime Enforcement Agency, and Sailors onboard U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Bertholf (WMSL 750), March 3. Bertholf was in Malaysia for a multiple day engagement to engage in professional subject matter exchanges with regional partners and allies and will patrol and operate as directed during their Western Pacific deployment. (U.S. Navy photo taken by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Charlotte Duran)
Lt. Cmdr. Philipp Kunze, operations officer aboard U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Bertholf (WMSL 750), speaks to members of the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency
Lt. Cmdr. Philipp Kunze, operations officer aboard U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Bertholf (WMSL 750), speaks to members of the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency during a tour of the Bertholf while the cutter was moored at Port Klang, Malaysia, March 2, 2024. The Bertholf is a National Security Cutter homeported in Alameda, Calif. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Ens. Tyler Ma)
Members from the Japan Coast Guard stand aboard a small boat and listen to Chief Warrant Officer Casey Wardynski
Members from the Japan Coast Guard stand aboard a small boat and listen to Chief Warrant Officer Casey Wardynski, first lieutenant aboard U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Bertholf (WMSL 750), while the cutter was moored in Port Klang, Malaysia, March 3, 2024. These engagements provided a training and best-practices opportunities for Japan Coast Guard and U.S. Coast Guard members. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Ens. Tyler Ma)
Dignitaries from multiple Malaysian government agencies, as well as members of the U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard, pose for a photo at the bow of U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Bertholf
Dignitaries from multiple Malaysian government agencies, as well as members of the U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard, pose for a photo at the bow of U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Bertholf (WMSL 750), while the cutter made a port call in Port Klang, Malaysia, March 2, 2024. This marked the first time a U.S. Coast Guard vessel called on Port Klang for a visit. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer Steve Strohmaier)
Lt. Cmdr. Philipp Kunze, operations officer aboard U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Bertholf (WMSL 750), speaks to Edgard D. Kagan, U.S. Ambassador-designate to Malaysia
Lt. Cmdr. Philipp Kunze, operations officer aboard U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Bertholf (WMSL 750), speaks to Edgard D. Kagan, U.S. Ambassador-designate to Malaysia, about the helm controls of the Bertholf during a tour while the cutter was moored at Port Klang, Malaysia, March 2, 2024. The Bertholf is a National Security Cutter homeported in Alameda, Calif. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer Steve Strohmaier)
Capt. Abdul Muhaimin Bin Muhammad Salleh, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, salutes as he arrives aboard U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Bertholf
Capt. Abdul Muhaimin Bin Muhammad Salleh, Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, salutes as he arrives aboard U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Bertholf (WMSL 750) during a reception held aboard the cutter while it was moored in Port Klang, Malaysia, March 2, 2024. The event, hosted by the crew of the Bertholf, brought together dignitaries from multiple Malaysian government agencies. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer Steve Strohmaier)
Lt. j.g. Mathew Cho speaks to YBhg. Dato’ Anis Rizana Binti Mohd Zainudin, Director General of Royal Malaysian Customs, and Edgard D. Kagan, U.S. Ambassador-designate to Malaysia, during a tour aboard U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Bertholf
Lt. j.g. Mathew Cho speaks to YBhg. Dato’ Anis Rizana Binti Mohd Zainudin, Director General of Royal Malaysian Customs, and Edgard D. Kagan, U.S. Ambassador-designate to Malaysia, during a tour aboard U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Bertholf (WMSL 750) while the cutter was moored in Port Klang, Malaysia, March 2, 2024. This was the first time a U.S. Coast Guard vessel has moored in Port Klang. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer Steve Strohmaier)
Edgard D. Kagan, U.S. Ambassador-designate to Malaysia, speaks to the crowd aboard U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Bertholf
Edgard D. Kagan, U.S. Ambassador-designate to Malaysia, speaks to the crowd aboard U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Bertholf (WMSL 750) during a U.S. Embassy Reception the crew of the Bertholf hosted while moored at Port Klang, Malaysia, March 2, 2024. The Ambassador has been in office since Dec. 19, 2023. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer Steve Strohmaier)
Dato’ Anis Rizana Binti Mohd Zainudin, the Director General of Royal Malaysian Customs, watches several customs boats transit near U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Bertholf
Dato’ Anis Rizana Binti Mohd Zainudin, the Director General of Royal Malaysian Customs, watches several customs boats transit near U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Bertholf (WMSL 750) while the cutter was moored in Port Klang, Malaysia, March 2, 2024. This was the first time a U.S. Coast Guard vessel has moored in Port Klang. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer Steve Strohmaier)
Capt. Billy Mees, commanding officer of U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Bertholf (WMSL 750), speaks to Malaysian media after the cutter arrived in Port Klang, Malaysia
Capt. Billy Mees, commanding officer of U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Bertholf (WMSL 750), speaks to Malaysian media after the cutter arrived in Port Klang, Malaysia, March 1, 2024. The media engagement allowed the local press to come aboard Bertholf and cover the first U.S. Coast Guard ship to moor in Port Klang. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer Steve Strohmaier)
A member of the of the Scan Eagle remote drone team currently traveling with U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Bertholf
A member of the of the Scan Eagle remote drone team currently traveling with U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Bertholf (WMSL 750) explains how the drone is used for surveillance missions during a media tour aboard the cutter on March 1, 2024. The media engagement allowed the local press to come aboard Bertholf for a tour and to ask crewmembers about the capabilities of the National Security Cutter. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer Steve Strohmaier)
/ Published March 18, 2024
PORT KLANG, Malaysia - U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Bertholf (WMSL 750) departed Port Klang, Malaysia, March 4, following several engagements with the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) and multiple Malaysian dignitaries.
The Bertholf was the first U.S. Coast Guard cutter to pull into Port Klang.
The crew arrived on March 1 after completing a joint transit through the Malacca Strait alongside the Republic of Singapore Navy vessel, MSRV Guardian.
During the transit, two officers from the MMEA joined as shipriders to observe U.S. Coast Guard operations while transiting to Port Klang. This provided the MMEA members an opportunity to work together with the crew of the Bertholf during the journey.
While moored in Port Klang, the Bertholf crew conducted multiple exercises and trainings with members from the MMEA, Republic of Singapore Navy, Singapore Police Coast Guard, Japan Coast Guard, Korea Coast Guard, and Australian Border Force, to bolster the interoperability across Southeast Asia. These trainings included maritime law enforcement drills, launching and recovering small boats, emergency rescue procedures, and shipboard damage control tactics.
“As professional mariners, we strive for proficiency and effectiveness in protecting national interests and livelihoods,” said Capt. Billy Mees, U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Bertholf commanding officer. “Persistent and integrated operations enable us to pursue these goals together and strengthen each other’s services. Together, we continue to work towards a vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific, underpinned by collaboration and mutual respect.”
In addition, the Bertholf hosted a reception on the cutter’s flight deck, Saturday evening. The Bertholf was honored to host U.S. Ambassador-designate Edgard D. Kagan and multiple Malaysian dignitaries, including Director General Dato’ Anis Rizana Binti Mohd Zainudin of the Royal Malaysian Customs Department, Director Norzaid bin Muhammad Said of the Royal Malaysian Police, and Rear Adm. Yusne Mokhtar with the Ministry of Defense Malaysia.
Bertholf is proud to support the United States’ continued efforts to facilitate force-multiplying partnerships in Southeast Asia to preserve the sovereignty and security of allies in the region.
Commissioned in 2008, Bertholf is the first legend-class national security cutter and is homeported in Alameda, California. National security cutters are 418-feet long, 54-feet wide, and have a 4,600 long-ton displacement. They have a top speed in excess of 28 knots, a range of 12,000 nautical miles, endurance of up to 90 days and can hold a crew of up to 170.
