U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Kimball hosts local media, community lea
U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Kimball (WMSL 756) crewmembers and U.S. Consulate Fukuoka staff lead a group of community leaders from Kagoshima on a tour of the Kimball during the cutter’s multi-day port call in Kagoshima, Japan, Feb. 11, 2023. Kimball’s crew are in Kagoshima to conduct joint training and professional exchanges with members of the Japan Coast Guard expanding on a memorandum of cooperation signed in 2022 between the two sea services which established Operation SAPPHIRE, a perpetual operation to strengthen relationships, increase bilateral engagements, and focus on maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Chief Petty Officer Matt Masaschi.