Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — U.S. Coast Guard Rear Admiral Michael H. Day accompanied by Coast Guard personnel is concluding his first official visit to American Samoa since assuming the duties as Commander of the Fourteenth Coast Guard District in June 2022.

The Coast Guardsmen met with Acting Governor Talauega E.V. Ale to discuss ways to work collaboratively to advance maritime governance as part of the rules-based international order essential to a free and open Indo-Pacific. Admiral Day oversees and directs Coast Guard operations throughout Oceania, including Hawai’i, Guam, the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa and activities in Singapore and Japan.

 “Accompanying Admiral Day was Captain Aja Kirksey, who, on her second trip to American Samoa since November 2022, assumed Command of Sector Honolulu in June 2022, and directs all Coast Guard missions in Sector Honolulu’s area of responsibility, a broad expanse of the Pacific that includes 1.4 million square nautical miles of ocean.

Other USCG officials in attendance were Master Chief, Andrea L. Martynowski, Command Master Chief, Fourteenth Coast Guard District; Lieutenant Shane P. Corbett, Military Aide to the Commander, Fourteenth Coast Guard District; Lieutenant Richard Quintana, Supervisor, Marine Safety Detachment American Samoa; Vernatius Frank Thomsen, Assistant Supervisor, Marine Safety Detachment American Samoa.

Acting Gov Talauega shared the importance of the tuna industry in American Samoa, and commended the USCG’s continued support as American Samoa plans to increase traffic of boats that will import oil and supplies.. “We recognize that having the Coast Guard’s presence here allows for security, the enforcement of law, and the protection of life out at sea,” said he said.

“We look forward to new ways to forge partnerships in the Pacific Region and continue the good work.”

Several cabinet members were also to discuss key issues and seek training opportunities in areas of border security and marine patrol. Cabinet members included Acting Attorney General Roy Hall, Director Samana Ve’ave’a, Deputy Treasury Levi Reese, Acting Director Sinauli Galoia, Executive Director Blanche Barber, Director Falenaoti Loi-On, and Chief of Customs Elisara Elisara.

The meeting concluded with an exchange of gifts as Admiral Day presented a wooden paddle, and Samoan artifacts and souvenirs were gifted to him.