Navy, CG Train to Combat Piracy
On board USS San Antonio (LPD 17), Navy and Coast Guard boarding teams ,which are part of Combined Task Force 151, a multinational counterpiracy task force, train to ensure safe and successful operations in the Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea, Red Sea and Indian Ocean. "Our visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) teams will play a central role here, as will the ship's ability to survey the water and air space to search for suspected pirates," said Lt. Cmdr. Sean Kearns, San Antonio's executive officer. San Antonio has 14 Navy VBSS team members, which includes two Navy boarding officers. The Coast Guard personnel are members of Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment (LEDET) 405. The detachment is comprised of eight members, all of whom are qualified as boarding officers.
Coast Guard Auxiliary Celebrates 68 Years of Service
On June 23rd, the Coast Guard Auxiliary will celebrate its 68th year of service to the United States Coast Guard and the American people. The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary is the uniformed volunteer component of the United States Coast Guard. Created by an Act of Congress in 1939. The Auxiliary directly supports the Coast Guard in all missions, except military and law enforcement actions. The Auxiliary is the primary provider of boating safety outreach and education for the Coast Guard. According to Adm. Thad Allen, Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard,"The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary provides an invaluable service to our Nation. The Coast Guard's philosophy is to be SEMPER PARATUS (ALWAYS READY) against all threats and all hazards.
Coast Guard Turns Over $50m Worth of Drugs
The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Northland turned over approximately 2,400 pounds of cocaine to federal agents in Mayport Monday following an at sea interdiction with the help of the Jacksonville-Based Coast Guard Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron near Guajira, Colombia, March 10. The transfer comes after Northland's third go-fast interdiction in as many weeks, yielding a total of 55 bales of cocaine and four bales of heroin with a total estimated street value of $50 million. Additionally, 11 suspected smugglers, and five persons suspected of supporting drug trafficking, have been transferred to federal agents as a result of Northland's law-enforcement actions.
