U.S. Coast Guard encounters joint Chinese Coast Guard, Russian Border Guard patrol in Bering Sea

Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak observed two Russian Border Guard ships and two Chinese Coast Guard ships approximately 440 miles southwest of St. Lawrence Island.

U.S. Coast Guard: JUNEAU, Alaska – The U.S. Coast Guard located four vessels from the Russian Border Guard and Chinese Coast Guard conducting a joint patrol in the Bering Sea, Saturday.   

NORAD Intercepts Russian Aircraft Over Alaskan ADIZ Carrying Out Dangerous Maneuvers, Latvia Intercepts Russian Aircraft Over Baltic Sea Region That Did Not Have Transponders Turned On

NORAD Detects Russian Aircraft Operating In Alaska Air Defense Identification Zone

NORAD Detects 2 Russian Military Aircraft Operating In Alaskan ADIZ

US Soldiers Deployed To Alaskan Island Near Russia In Response To Increased Russian, Chinese Military Activity

US Soldiers Finish Deployment To Shemya Island After Increased Chinese, Russian Military Activity Around Alaskan ADIZ

While patrolling the maritime boundary between the United States and Russia on routine patrol in the Bering Sea, a HC-130J Super Hercules airplane crew from Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak observed two Russian Border Guard ships and two Chinese Coast Guard ships approximately 440 miles southwest of St. Lawrence Island.

Map Location Of St. Lawrence Island

The vessels were transiting in formation in a northeast direction, remaining approximately five miles inside the Russian Exclusive Economic Zone. This marked the northernmost location where Chinese Coast Guard vessels have been observed by the U.S. Coast Guard.  

“This recent activity demonstrates the increased interest in the Arctic by our strategic competitors,” said Rear Adm. Megan Dean, commander of the 17th Coast Guard District.

“The demand for Coast Guard services across the region continues to grow, requiring continuous investment in our capabilities to meet our strategic competitors’ presence and fulfill our statutory missions across an expanding operational area.”  

The HC-130 aircrew operated under Operation Frontier Sentinel, an operation designed to meet presence with presence when strategic competitors operate in and around U.S. waters.

The Coast Guard’s presence strengthens the international rules-based order and promotes the conduct of operations in a manner that follows international law and norms.  

Photos: An HC-130J Super Hercules airplane crew from Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak observes two Russian Border Guard ships and two Chinese Coast Guard ships approximately 440 miles southwest of St. Lawrence Island Sept. 28, 2024. This marked the northernmost location where Chinese Coast Guard vessels have been observed by the U.S. Coast Guard.

Chinese Military: Chinese, Russian coast guards conduct joint patrols in Arctic Ocean, marking CCG's first entry into the region