Members from Malta armed forces observe how the Coast Guard conducts helicopter operations aboard the Legend-class cutter USCGC Hamilton, May 17, 2021. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Sydney Phoenix)
MEDITERRANEAN SEA — The Legend-class national security Coast Guard Cutter Hamilton transited out of the Mediterranean Sea, concluding the crew’s recent operations in the U.S. Navy Sixth Fleet’s area of responsibility, May 24, 2021.
Hamilton entered the Mediterranean Sea on April 15 and the Black Sea on April 27 to support NATO Allies and partners. Hamilton was the first U.S. Coast Guard Cutter to visit the Black Sea since 2008. The last U.S. Coast Guard cutter to visit the Black Sea was the Coast Guard Cutter Dallas and sailed to the Black Sea twice, in 2008 and 1995.
Since leaving the Black Sea on May 14, Hamilton’s crew visited Valletta, Malta, and conducted engagements at sea with the armed forces of Malta. They also conducted a brief logistics stop in Rota, Spain, on May 23.
“By operating with Sixth Fleet, we expand the Coast Guard’s global reach and advance our Nation’s Tri-Service Maritime Strategy,” said Capt. Timothy Cronin, commanding officer of the Hamilton. “This deployment also reinforced our commitment to freedom of navigation in international waters while building capacity and partnerships with nations that have shared interests and threats in the maritime domain.”
After departing North Charleston, South Carolina, on February 28, the crew of Hamilton stopped in Puerto Rico and then headed toward Rota, with two Sentinel-class fast response cutters, Coast Guard Cutter Charles Moulthrope and Coast Guard Cutter Robert Goldman. After escorting the fast response cutters and departing Spain, Hamilton then visited Italy, Georgia, Ukraine, and Malta. The crew conducted various operational exercises with the maritime components of each country and Turkey, Romania, and Bulgaria.
“The relationships we build are fundamental for establishing maritime safety and security worldwide,” said Lt. Cmdr. Taylor Kellogg, operations officer of the Hamilton. “Working together with our NATO Allies and partners, we advance the rule of law on the sea, ensuring free and open access to the maritime domain.”
The U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard operate forward, from the littoral to the open ocean, ensuring stability and open sea lanes across all maritime domains. U.S. Coast Guard operations in U.S. Sixth Fleet demonstrate the Service’s commitment, flexibility, and capability to operate and address security concerns throughout Europe and Africa.
The U.S. Coast Guard is conducting a routine deployment in U.S. Navy Sixth Fleet, working alongside Allies, building maritime domain awareness, and sharing best practices with partner nation navies and coast guards.
Hamilton is the fourth national security cutter and is the fifth cutter named for the father of the U.S. Coast Guard – Alexander Hamilton, the first Secretary of the Treasury and advocate for creating the U.S. Revenue Cutter Service.
U.S. Sixth Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied and interagency partners, to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa.
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