KEY WEST, Florida – Coast Guard Cutter Mohawk returned to their homeport of Key West, Florida yesterday following a 62-day patrol in the Pacific Ocean. Mohawk’s crew partnered with units from multiple U.S. agencies and allied nations to conduct Counter Drug Operations in support of the Eleventh Coast Guard District and the Key West-based Joint Interagency Task Force South. During the patrol, Mohawk made significant advances in combating transnational criminal organizations in support of the Coast Guard’s Western Hemisphere Strategy.
During her deployment, Mohawk interdicted 11 vessels suspected of drug trafficking, detained 37 suspected smugglers for U.S. prosecution, and seized approximately 7,500 kilograms of cocaine with an estimated wholesale value of over $221 million. Mohawk also disrupted another four smuggling ventures, preventing an estimated 3,100 kilograms of cocaine from reaching its intended destination.
Mohawk utilized its full suite of command and control capabilities, along with its cutter boats to ensure mission success. To expand her operational range and increase mission effectiveness, Mohawk embarked a HH-65 helicopter from the Coast Guard Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron (HITRON) located in Jacksonville, Florida. On two occasions during the deployment, Mohawk interdicted multiple vessels simultaneously, demonstrating the effective capabilities and impact of this combined law enforcement package.
The cooperative efforts of foreign military and law enforcement personnel and U.S. government inter-agency partners are combined to detect, disrupt, and interdict illegal narcotics smuggling ventures in the Eastern Pacific. These activities support the rule of law in Central America and promote stability in the region, ultimately easing pressures on the U.S. southern border and domestic law enforcement.
After returning home, the crew will prepare Mohawk to return to sea in execution of all Coast Guard missions.
Mohawk is the 13th and last of the 270-foot “Famous” class cutters. Since her commissioning in March 1991, she has served the Coast Guard in a wide variety of missions including Search and Rescue, Maritime Law Enforcement, Alien Migrant Interdiction Operations, Defense Readiness, and Homeland Security Operations.
To learn more about your United States Coast Guard, please visit: www.uscg.mil. For more information on Mohawk, please visit: http://www.uscg.mil/lantarea/cgcMohawk/