US Coast Guard cutter visits Ho Chi Minh City

The cutter docked at the port in Hiep Phuoc Commune on Sunday afternoon, according to the VCG.

Speaking at a welcoming ceremony, Col. Nguyen Duc Hieu, deputy commander for legal affairs of VCG Region 3, said the visit would strengthen friendship, mutual understanding and trust between maritime law enforcement forces in Vietnam and the United States.

He expressed confidence that the visit would further enhance cooperation between the two forces.

During its three-day stay in Ho Chi Minh City, the crew will take part in professional exchanges on shore and joint activities at sea with the VCG.

At the ceremony, U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam Jennifer Wicks said USCGC Bertholf is the first US military vessel to visit Ho Chi Minh City in more than 20 years.

She added that the visit was particularly significant as the U.S. celebrates the 250th anniversary of its independence and the two countries mark three years of their comprehensive strategic partnership.

She highlighted bilateral cooperation in trade, healthcare, education, defense and security, reaffirming US support for a strong, prosperous, independent and resilient Vietnam.

Capt. Andrew Pate, commanding officer of USCGC Bertholf, said Vietnam and the U.S. are both coastal nations whose maritime industries relied on law enforcement agencies to protect people and conduct search and rescue operations at sea.

He said the two forces have ample opportunities to work together and strengthen the capabilities of rescue personnel and professional mariners.

Pate also recalled that the first vessel he served aboard was a Hamilton-class cutter, the same class as three US vessels previously transferred to the VCG.

He stressed that practical joint exercises and working side by side were essential to strengthening ties between the two forces.

USCGC Bertholf currently has 155 crew members and had spent 114 days at sea since departing its home port in Alameda, California, Pate said.

The vessel has also visited several Southeast Asian countries, including Brunei, Malaysia and the Philippines, during its deployment.

USCGC Bertholf, which entered service in 2008, was the first vessel in the US Coast Guard's Legend-class National Security Cutter fleet.

According to Pate, it carries out maritime law enforcement, homeland defense, and search and rescue missions.

The cutter is approximately 127 meters long, has a displacement of 4,500 metric tons and can reach a top speed of 28 knots, or around 52 kph.

It has an operational range of 12,000 nautical miles and can remain at sea for 60-90 days.

Its armament includes a 57 mm Mk 110 gun capable of firing up to 220 rounds per minute, a 20 mm Phalanx close-in weapon system, four 12.7 mm machine guns and two 7.62 mm machine guns.

The vessel is also equipped with two high-speed boats, an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) technology.

The UAVs include two V-BAT vertical takeoff and landing aircraft developed by US defense technology company Shield AI for maritime surveillance and reconnaissance.

The MH-65 Dolphin is used for search and rescue operations, maritime patrols and port security.