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| Foto:x/ASEAN-U.S. Maritime Exercise (AUMX). |
VISTORBELITUNG.COM,BATAM, Riau Islands – The United States Navy’s Independence-class Littoral Combat Ship, USS Cincinnati (LCS-20), arrived at the Batu Ampar port here on Monday, December 9, heralding the commencement of the second iteration of the ASEAN-U.S. Maritime Exercise (AUMX).
The vessel’s arrival underscores the deepening maritime partnership between the United States and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The AUMX exercise, a multilateral initiative, is designed to enhance interoperability, strengthen regional maritime security cooperation, and promote adherence to a rules-based international order in vital Southeast Asian waterways.
The USS Cincinnati, a fast, agile, and mission-focused platform designed for operations in coastal environments, is a fitting participant for the exercises anticipated in the surrounding waters. Its presence highlights the U.S. commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific, a principle shared by ASEAN member states.
"The arrival of USS Cincinnati in Batam is a tangible demonstration of the enduring U.S. partnership with ASEAN," said a U.S. 7th Fleet spokesperson. "AUMX allows our navies to train together, improve our collective ability to respond to shared maritime challenges, and foster greater understanding and trust."
The first AUMX was held in 2019 in the Gulf of Thailand and South China Sea. This year’s exercise, hosted by Indonesia as the ASEAN chair coordinator with the U.S., is expected to involve naval assets and personnel from multiple ASEAN member states. Drills will likely focus on a range of capacity-building activities, including maritime interdiction, search and rescue (SAR) operations, and communication procetheir all critical skills for ensuring safety, security, and stability in one of the world's busiest maritime regions.
Batam, a strategic Indonesian island located near key shipping lanes in the Singapore Strait, provides a logistically pivotal point for the exercise. The city's port facilities are supporting the pre-exercise coordination and hosting events fostering camaraderie among participating forces.
Local authorities have welcomed the visit, noting its significance for Batam's profile as a hub for international maritime activities. The exercise also presents an opportunity for professional exchanges between U.S. sailors and their ASEAN counterparts, as well as with the Indonesian community.
The ASEAN-U.S. Maritime Exercise (AUMX) is scheduled to run from December 9th, with at-sea phases following the harbor preparatory period. The collaborative drills represent a concerted effort by the participating nations to address common concerns such as piracy, illegal fishing, and humanitarian disasters, while reinforcing norms for maritime behavior.
The presence of the USS Cincinnati in Batam signals more than just a port call; it is a prelude to coordinated action, embodying a shared commitment to a secure, prosperous, and cooperative maritime future for Southeast Asia.