Overview:
Palau’s Guardian-class patrol boat PSS H.I. Remeliik II has returned from Guam after participating in Operation IRENSIA 2026, a 13-day multinational maritime security exercise involving more than 120 personnel from five countries. Led by Lt. Cmdr. Allison Baiei, the crew joined regional partners under the Pacific Maritime Security Program to strengthen law enforcement at sea, improve interoperability, and enhance readiness against threats such as illegal fishing and transnational crime.
Palau’s Guardian-class Patrol Boat, PSS H.I. Remeliik II, has recently returned from Guam following its participation in Operation IRENSIA 2026 – a 13-day multilateral maritime security exercise bringing together more than 120 personnel from five nations.
Under the command of Lieutenant Commander Allison Baiei, the Remeliik II crew joined patrol boat teams from the Federated States of Micronesia and the Republic of the Marshall Islands, alongside the U.S. Coast Guard and Australian Maritime Security Advisers under the Pacific Maritime Security Program (PMSP).
Throughout the exercise, crews enhanced their maritime law enforcement capabilities through a range of practical activities, including counter-narcotics boarding procedures, vessel identification, evidence handling and coordinated operations at sea. Activities also included underway exercises, formation operations, and damage control challenges designed to build readiness and teamwork in demanding environments.
Operation IRENSIA highlights the strength of Pacific partnerships, improving interoperability, building trusted relationships, and enhancing the collective ability to respond to shared maritime challenges such as illegal fishing, transnational crime, and gaps in maritime domain awareness.
Minister of Justice, the Hon. Jennifer S. Olegeriil, said the exercise demonstrates the importance of regional cooperation in addressing increasingly complex maritime security challenges across the Pacific.
“Operation IRENSIA is a powerful example of what can be achieved when Pacific nations work together with trusted partners to protect our shared ocean. Through initiatives such as the Pacific Maritime Security Program, we are strengthening our collective ability to safeguard our borders, uphold the rule of law, and respond to emerging threats.
As Palau prepares to host the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting, exercises like Operation IRENSIA reflect the spirit of regional solidarity and collective security that lies at the heart of the Blue Pacific.”
Australian Ambassador to Palau, Toby Sharpe said “Australia is proud to support Palau and our Pacific partners through the Pacific Maritime Security Program. ‘Irensia,’ meaning heritage, reflects the shared maritime identity at the heart of this exercise. Challenges such as illegal fishing and transnational crime cannot be tackled alone; the operation shows how cooperation strengthens the trust and coordination needed to respond effectively.”
The professionalism and dedication of the Remeliik II crew make a vital contribution to Palau’s maritime security, while also supporting our shared regional security and the enduring Palau–Australia maritime partnership. Operation IRENSIA demonstrates how the PMSP continues to evolve in response to the changing maritime security environment across the Pacific.