U.S. Coast Guard photo by Chief Petty Officer Charly Tautfest.
PORTSMOUTH, Va. — The Coast Guard Cutter (USCGC) Legare and HITRON crews returned to home after an eight-week counter narcotic patrol in the Eastern Pacific Ocean, Friday.
The Cutter Legare interdicted over 7,000 pounds of contraband, with an estimated street value in excess of $20 million and patrolled over 10,000 nautical miles throughout the Eastern Pacific, working in conjunction with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), U.S. Navy, and other partner assets to combat transnational smuggling organizations operating in the maritime environment.
Lee was one of several gunners qualified on the MH-65C dolphin helicopter.
HITRON started receiving the MH-65C helicopter in September 2007, some additional features on the old Charlie variant from helicopter included a forward-looking infrared device and heads-up-display to enhance night operations, and an electro-optical sensor system to enhance detection capabilities.
U.S. Coast Guard photograph by PA2 Bobby Nash.
The Legare embarked an MH-65 Dolphin aircrew from Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron (HITRON), homeported in Jacksonville, Fla., which specializes in airborne interdiction tactics. Additionally, the crew sailed with a law enforcement detachment specializing in maritime law enforcement and surface use of force tactics.
Along with 4th Fleet assets, the Legare participated in an international naval and amphibious exercises off the coast of Manta, Ecuador. Unitas, or “Unity” in Latin, is the longest running annual international military exercise. The Legare crew demonstrated the Coast Guard’s multi-faceted capabilities during maritime interdiction, search and rescue, and live fire gunnery exercise events in addition to participating in atypical Coast Guard events such as anti-submarine and surface warfare operations.
U.S. Coast Guard photo by Chief Petty Officer Charly Tautfest.
“Similar to our previous patrol, the COVID-19 pandemic has continued to challenge our methodology and tactics, despite this, the crew always rises to the challenge ensuring protective equipment and decontamination procedures are strictly followed allowing the Legare to complete and excel in all missions,” said Cmdr. Malcolm Belt, commanding officer of the Legare. “Despite all of the restrictions COVID-19 has brought upon us, the men and women of the Legare prepared for and performed magnificently during the Unitas exercise, an opportunity for the United States to strengthen alliances with other nations and enhance our capabilities across international borders. I am continually amazed by the families and friends shore side who support the crew serving onboard the Legare, their resolve, strength, and compassion allow the crew to focus on the mission while deployed; we would not be where we are today without their constant and unwavering support.”
U.S. Coast Guard photo by Chief Petty Officer Charly Tautfest.
The Legare is a multi-mission 270-foot Medium-Endurance Cutter. Missions include search and rescue, maritime law enforcement, marine environmental protection, homeland security, and national defense operations.
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