CHARLESTON, S.C. – The crew of the 378-foot Coast Guard Cutter Gallatin is to return to their homeport of Charleston, Wednesday.
During the 76-day patrol, the Gallatin crew conducted law enforcement and supported U.S. counter-drug operations in the Caribbean Sea and Florida Straits while deployed with an aviation detachment from Coast Guard Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron Jacksonville, Fla.
The Gallatin crew seized nearly 2,000 pounds of cocaine and interdicted five smugglers from a small fishing vessel inn the Caribbean Sea.
“The Gallatin’s recent interdiction is a testament to the hard work and devotion of her command and crew. From our most junior boarding team member to our most senior officer on the bridge, each crewmember has a vital role in the Coast Guard’s mission to thwart the smuggling of illegal drugs onto American shores and into our cities,” said Lt. j.g. Douglas Piper, boarding officer aboard Coast Guard Cutter Gallatin.
Gallatin made port calls in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; Puerto Limon, Costa Rica; Chiriquí Grande, Panama; Cartagena, Colombia; and Cozumel, Mexico.
“Gallatin will celebrate the 43rd anniversary of her commissioning Dec. 20 and like the Coast Guard’s other 10-Hamilton Class Cutters still in active service, the dedication and enthusiasm of her crew allow her to remain very capable of carrying out her primary missions of counter-drug operations, maritime law enforcement, national defense, and search and rescue,” said Capt. Caleb Corson, commanding officer of Coast Guard Cutter Gallatin.
