SEATTLE — The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Midgett, a 378-foot cutter homeported in Seattle, is returned to Coast Guard Base Seattle after a 75-day counter-narcotics patrol in the eastern Pacific Ocean, Thursday, at 10 a.m.
While on patrol in the eastern Pacific in late February, the crew successfully interdicted a 30-foot fishing vessel that was carrying 1,100 pounds of cocaine hidden inside the vessel. Midgett’s boarding team confiscated the drugs, and detained the suspected smugglers.
Midgett’s crew also visited Bahia Malaga, Colombia, for a partnership exercise with the Colombian Navy. The ship hosted the Colombian Navy’s chief of staff, pacific operations commander, and several other senior personnel for a tour of the ship.
“This professional exchange and exercise served to bolster an already strong working relationship with an important regional partner in the effort to stem the flow of drugs through the Pacific transit zone,” said Capt. Laura Dickey, Midgett’s commanding officer.
The crew’s return to Seattle was highlighted by a marriage proposal from Chip Switzer to FN Stefanie Garrett, a member of Midgett’s engineering department. Garrett said yes to him.
The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Midgett arrives at its homeport at Coast Guard Base Seattle, March 21, 2013. Midgett’s crew was underway conducting a 75-day counter-narcotics patrol in the eastern Pacific Ocean. U.S Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class George Degener.
Family and friends of crewmembers aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Midgett await the ships arrival at Coast Guard Base Seattle, March 21, 2013. Midgett’s crew returned from a 75-day counter-narcotics patrol during which the crew successfully interdicted a 30-foot fishing vessel that was carrying 1,100 pounds of cocaine hidden inside the vessel. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class George Degener.
Chip Switzer, boyfriend of FN Stefanie Garret, a member of the engineering department aboard Coast Guard Cutter Midgett, holds a sign asking for her to marry him as Midgett’s crew arrives at Coast Guard Base Seattle, March 21, 2013. Garret was unaware that Switzer would propose upon her return home, and answered yes.U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class George Degener.
Chip Switzer proposes to FN Stefanie Garret, a member of the engineering department aboard Coast Guard Cutter Midgett, at Coast Guard Base Seattle after the ship’s crew returned from a 75-day counter-narcotics patrol, March 21, 2013. Garret was unaware that Switzer would propose upon her return home, and answered yes. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class George Degener.
