PORTSMOUTH, Va. – The Coast Guard Cutter Northland will return to its homeport at Coast Guard Integrated Support Command Portsmouth, Va., at 10:00 a.m. on Friday following a 68-day international patrol.
During its patrol the cutter was engaged in counter narco-terrorism patrols in the Caribbean Sea, and represented the Coast Guard in the multi-national training exercise, UNITAS 49-08, held this year in Rio de Janiero, Brazil.
This year’s participants from Brazil, Argentina and the United States, engaged in simulated battle scenarios, law enforcement boardings, search and rescue, gunnery exercises, and formation steaming, all aimed toward increasing interoperability among participating navies, and enhancing relationships with South American neighbors. During the final battle exercise, Northland was selected as the Maritime Interdiction Operations Commander (MIO) due to the Coast Guard’s maritime boarding capabilities.
During the counter-narcotics portion of the patrol, the cutter successfully intercepted two go-fast vessels in consecutive days, resulting in law enforcement information collection and the disruption of illegal drug activity in the area.
The Northland is a 270-foot Famous Class Cutter crewed by 100 officers, chief petty officers and enlisted personnel. Northland is commanded by Cmdr. Christopher E. Austin.
