Former Coast Guard Cutter Leaves Under Bangladeshi Colors

'BNS Somudra Joy' (formerly the Coast Guard Cutter 'Jarvis'), sailed recently from Alameda, marking a major milestone in international cooperation between the United States and Bangladesh.

Joined by a small Coast Guard team of advisors, headed by Cmdr. Wendy Tomko, the Bangladeshi crew will make port calls at San Diego, Honolulu, Guam and Malaysia on their way to Bangladesh.

This concludes a two-year-long process of identifying the cutter for decommissioning, advising foreign allies of its availability, allocating it to a country with the capability of supporting it, and whose national defense objectives align with United States’ regional goals.

Additionally, the necessary Letters of Offer and Acceptance, decommissioning and transfer ceremonies, training a new crew, and establishing the initial support of what is probably the most complex combatant vessel the receiving country has seen, have all been accomplished.

This marks the fourth transfer as the Coast Guard brings its newest asset, the 418-foot national security cutter, into service.