US to Station Coast Guard Vessel in Papua New Guinea as Pacific Ties Strengthen

The Biden administration is announcing it will be strengthening its engagement with Papua New Guinea by posting a coastguard vessel to the country.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III greets Joe Zadrozny (C), chargé d’affaires, U.S. Embassy Papua New Guinea, and Elias Wohengu, deputy chief of mission, in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, on July 27, 2023. Chad J. McNeeley, DOD

The Biden administration announced that it'll be strengthening U.S. ties with Papua New Guinea (PNG) and the broader Pacific by posting a Coast Guard vessel to the country in August.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin made the announcement on July 27 during his visit to PNG, which is the first time a U.S. secretary of defense has visited the Pacific nation.