US Navy Base Guam gets two MK VI patrol boats

The Guam-based Navy Expeditionary Forces Command Pacific (CTF 75) took permanent ownership of two MK VI patrol boats at the U.S. Navy base on August 24.

The U.S. now has MK VI patrol boats permanently assigned in two separate strategic areas of operations after two MK VI patrol boats were delivered to CTF-56, based in Bahrain in March.

The newest generation of patrol boat, the MK VI is a 85-foot combatant craft and provides capability to patrol shallow littoral areas for the purpose of force protection of U.S. and coalition forces, as well as safeguarding infrastructure.

“Innovative assets like the MK VI allow us to maintain maritime superiority and help strengthen and enable our partners within the Indo-Asia-Pacific region,” said Capt. Erich Diehl, commodore, CTF-75. “We are excited to receive and employ the MK VI throughout our area of operations.”

The MK VI patrol boat offers the Coastal Riverine Forces a number of mission sets, from waterborne to mine countermeasures to theater security cooperation. The U.S. Navy said it would utilize the MK VI patrol boats and their crews in a variety of Pacific Fleet exercises and operations.

The patrol boats can reach speeds in excess of 35 knots and have a range of more than 600 nautical miles.

Coastal Riverine Force (CORIVFOR) operates in harbors, rivers, bays, across the littorals, and ashore. The primary mission of CORIVFOR is to conduct maritime security operations across all phases of military operations by defending high-value assets, critical maritime infrastructure, ports and harbors, both inland and on coastal waterways, against enemies, and, when commanded, to conduct offensive combat operations.