SAN DIEGO — The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Sherman returned to its homeport of San Diego Friday after completing a 52-day deployment to the Eastern Pacific Ocean participating in UNITAS 2014 and conducting counter maritime drug interdiction operations.
At the beginning of their deployment, Sherman was one of 14 partner nations that participated in UNITAS 2014 from Sept. 12 to Sept. 26. This exercise is a unity of effort between countries from Latin America and the United States. These partnering countries came together in Callao, Peru to focus on cooperation, understanding and partnership among their navies in order to respond as a unified force to a wide variety of maritime missions. UNITAS is the longest-running exercise of its type in the world and has been building ties with foreign navies since 1959.
Families wait for the Coast Guard Cutter Sherman to finish pulling into homeport to be reunited with their loved ones during a homecoming celebration for the San Diego-based cutter at Naval Base San Diego, Oct. 24, 2014. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Connie Terrell)
“UNITAS develops and sustains relationships that improve the capacity of both U.S. forces and partner nation maritime forces through complex and comprehensive multinational training at sea,” said Capt. Kevin Jones, commanding officer Cutter Sherman. “The relationships forged in this exercise take on increased importance as the Coast Guard, our nation and international partners face significant risks to regional security and prosperity brought on by the rising threat of Transnational Organized Crime networks in the Western Hemisphere.”
Toward the conclusion of its deployment, Sherman interdicted two suspected smuggling boats that resulted in the seizure of approximately 120 pounds of cocaine with a wholesale value of nearly $2 million.
The 46-year-old Sherman and the other Secretary-class, high endurance cutters, are being replaced by the Legend-class, national security cutters (NSCs). The NCSs are better equipped, more durable, safer, and more efficient than their predecessor, 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.
Click the photo for more from the homecoming.
