Petty Officer 2nd Class Nathalie Aviles from U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia/Sector Guam played a pivotal role in the success of Operation Island Chief 2025, a multinational maritime surveillance operation to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing across the Pacific and maritime security.

Deployed temporarily at the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency’s Regional Fisheries Surveillance Centre in Honiara, Solomon Islands, Aviles’ contributions underscored the strength of Pacific unity while aligning with U.S. Coast Guard priorities including defense readiness and homeland security.

Aviles brought her expertise to the RFSC, where she worked alongside 32 secondees and partners from 13 FFA Member nations, including Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Nauru, Republic of Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Tonga, and Vanuatu. 

Her role involved analyzing intelligence and developing actionable products that guided surface and air assets in conducting 100 boardings (53 in port, 47 at sea) and identifying 12 vessels of interest. She also participated in a Royal Australian Air Force C-27J Spartan flight.

“I valued the opportunity to work with such a multinational group,” Aviles shared. “Seeing the impact of our combined analysis and the detailed products we provided to the forces on the ground and at sea was incredibly rewarding.”

Her work directly supported priorities by fostering interoperability among regional partners. The collaborative environment at the RFSC enabled the integration of advanced satellite detection, data analysis from partners like Global Fishing Watch, and aerial surveillance from assets like the Royal Australian Air Force C-27J Spartan. 

Aviles says the most rewarding part was seeing the impact of collaboration, while also building lasting networks with partners across the Pacific.

Operation Island Chief highlights the power of regional unity, ensuring Pacific nations can better protect their waters and safeguard vital marine resources for future generations.