The Coast Guard cutter Munro arrived in Juneau, Alaska, for a scheduled port visit on Feb. 27. The port call marks Munro’s final stop before returning to its homeport in Alameda, Calif., following 11,500 miles and 105 days away.
During the patrol, Munro served as the primary search and rescue (SAR) asset in the Bering Sea, performing 452 flight evolutions with five separate aircraft from Air Station Kodiak, qualifying seven pilots and ensuring SAR readiness.
Munro also partnered with the NOAA Office of Law Enforcement to conduct 24 boardings of commercial fishing vessels with the goal of enforcing sustainable fishing practices and ensuring compliance with federal regulations.
The cutter was on scene for the opening of the Pacific Cod Pot derby and the Alaska Pollock trawl season, two of the nation’s most valuable fisheries.
“The continued existence of these fisheries depends on a healthy and productive ecosystem,” Munro commanding officer, Capt. Rula Deisher, said. “It is the Coast Guard’s responsibility to ensure the longevity of these resources and safety of the fishing fleet. We’re happy to do our part combating unsustainable fishing and promoting maritime commerce that is essential to a strong U.S. economy.”
Commissioned in 2017, Munro is one of four Coast Guard legend-class national security cutters homeported in Alameda. The cutter is named for Signalman First Class Douglas A. Munro, the only Coast Guardsman awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. He received the medal in 1942 for his actions and sacrifice in the defense, rescue and evacuation of a U.S. Marine battalion from Point Cruz at Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands.