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ALAMEDA, Calif. – The crew of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Morgenthau returned to homeport at Coast Guard Island today after successfully derailing multiple illegal trafficking operations in the Eastern Pacific Ocean.
During a 72-day patrol the crew intercepted nine vessels engaged in narcotics, migrant, and money trafficking. The interceptions, some accomplished in coordination with navies of partner nations in the region, resulted in the seizure or disruption of more than a ton of cocaine and approximately 1,300 pounds of marijuana, confiscation of $12,000 in cash associated with criminal activity, the interdiction and rescue of 10 undocumented migrants, and detainment of 15 suspected smugglers.
An aviation detachment from the Coast Guard Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron based in Jacksonville, Fla., was aboard during the patrol and completed over 100 flight hours and was critical in directing the intercept of some of the smuggling vessels.
“This deployment is a true testament to the abilities and dedication of my crew and the aviators of the HITRON detachment,” said Capt. Gregory Burg, Morgenthau’s commanding officer. “As you walk around the decks you can’t help but notice crewmembers smiling as they share stories about the past months’ events. These successes are due to the incredible dedication of these young men and women who leave their families for months at a time to make a difference.”
Overall coordination of the counter-drug mission in the Eastern Pacific is done by the Joint Interagency Task Force, South, headquartered in key West, Fla. U.S. maritime law enforcement and the interdiction phase of operations in the region occurs under the tactical control of the 11th Coast Guard District, based in Alameda, Calif., or by law enforcement agencies of partner nations in the region. Morgenthau worked with both the Panamanian and Colombian navies to successfully intercept suspected smuggling vessels on this patrol.
"The accomplishments of Morgenthau's crew and the HITRON on this patrol were extraordinary," said Rear Adm. Joseph "Pepe" Castillo, 11th Coast Guard District commander. “The high level of performance sustained on this patrol shows the tenacity of these brave men and women and I appreciate the sacrifices they make to keep our nation safe. The results of this patrol clearly show that flight-deck equipped cutters and helicopters working in tandem provide unmatched capability to patrol for prolonged periods, quickly interdict threats far from U.S. shores, respond to emergencies, and protect the security and safety of all Americans.”
Morgenthau, commissioned on March 10, 1969, has a crew of approximately 165 men and women whose missions include search and rescue, drug and migrant interdiction, fisheries and maritime law enforcement, marine environmental protection and homeland security.
The 43-year-old Morgenthau and the 11 other original Secretary class, high endurance cutters, are being replaced by eight Legend class, national security cutters. The national security cutters are faster, better equipped, more durable, safer and more efficient than their predecessors, and will allow the Coast Guard to deliver its unique blend of military capability, law enforcement authority and lifesaving expertise wherever needed to protect American interests, today and for decades to come. The first three of these new cutters share the homeport of Alameda with Morgenthau.
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ALAMEDA, Calif. – The Coast Guard Cutter Morgenthau pulls into homeport at Coast Guard Island in Alameda, after a successful counter-narcotics patrol March 9, 2012. The crew of the Morgenthau intercepted nine vessels during the two-month patrol resulting in the seizure or disruption of more than one ton of cocaine, 1,300 pounds of marijuana, and the apprehension of 10 migrants and 15 suspected smugglers. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Sondra-Kay Rivera.
PACIFIC OCEAN – Packages of cocaine line the deck of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Morgenthau after the crew, working in conjunction with the Panamanian Navy, intercepted and seized the contraband from suspected smugglers during a two-month patrol off the coast of Central and South America. The patrol resulted in the interception of more than one ton of cocaine, 1,300 pounds of marijuana, and the apprehension of 10 migrants and 15 suspected smugglers. U.S. Coast Guard photo.
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ALAMEDA, Calif. – Petty Officer 3rd Class JonRay L. San Agustin, an operations specialist stationed aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Morgenthau, greets his family as they welcome him home after a two-month patrol, March 9, 2012. The crew of the Morgenthau intercepted nine vessels during the Eastern Pacific patrol resulting in the seizure or disruption of more than one ton of cocaine, 1,300 pounds of marijuana, and the apprehension of 10 migrants and 15 suspected smugglers. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Sondra-Kay Rivera.
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PACIFIC OCEAN – Packages of cocaine are stacked on the deck of the Coast Guard Cutter Morgenthau after the crew of the cutter, working in conjunction with the Panamanian Navy, intercepted and seized the contraband from suspected smugglers during a two-month patrol off the coasts of Central and South America. The patrol resulted in the interception of more than one ton of cocaine, 1,300 pounds of marijuana, and the apprehension of 10 migrants and 15 suspected smugglers. U.S. Coast Guard photo.
ALAMEDA, Calif. – Ens. Hayley Warshauer, a boarding officer aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Morgenthau, is interviewed by local news stations after the cutter returned to its homeport at Coast Guard Island, in Alameda, March 9, 2012. The crew of the Morgenthau intercepted nine vessels during a two-month patrol resulting in the seizure or disruption of more than one ton of cocaine, 1,300 pounds of marijuana, and the apprehension of 10 migrants and 15 suspected smugglers. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Sondra-Kay Rivera.
PACIFIC OCEAN – The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Morgenthau and a Panamanian Navy ship patrol together in search of illicit activity. The crew of the Morgenthau made nine busts during a two-month patrol of the region resulting in the interception of over one ton of cocaine, 1,300 pounds of marijuana, and the apprehension of 10 migrants and 15 suspected smugglers. U.S. Coast Guard photo.
PACIFIC OCEAN – Crewmembers of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Morgenthau shake hands with representatives from the Panamanian Navy following international counter drug operations that took place during the cutter’s two-month patrol off the coast of Central and South America. The patrol resulted in the interception of more than one ton of cocaine, 1,300 pounds of marijuana, and the apprehension of 10 migrants and 15 suspected smugglers. U.S. Coast Guard photo.
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