After 55 days on narcotics enforcement patrol, the crew members of the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Steadfast returned to Astoria, Oregon on Oct. 7.
The 210-foot medium endurance cutter traveled over 11,000 miles between Oregon and Central America, doing training, law enforcement, search and rescue and helicopter operations in international waters, the agency said.
The crew was deployed with Maintenance Augmentation Team Seattle, Electronic Support Detachment Petaluma and cutter Argus, which is expected to be commissioned soon.
During their tour, Steadfast crew members pursued a high-speed, panga-style vessel suspected of smuggling contraband before handing off the case to a partner nation, USCG said.
“This was a wildly productive deployment with noteworthy enhancements to crew qualifications and proficiency following a significant personnel turnover,” said new Steadfast commanding officer, Cmdr. Brock S. Eckel, who assumed command in July. “I am overwhelmed by the camaraderie of the Steadfast crew and honored to join them for adventure on the high seas.”
