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Coast Guard Cutter Stratton returns to homeport

September 28, 2016

PACIFIC OCEAN (July 28, 2016) U.S. Coast Guard cutter USCG Stratton (WMSL 752) steams in close formation as one of 40 ships and submarines representing 13 international partner nations during Rim of the Pacific 2016. Twenty-six nations, more than 40 ships and submarines, more than 200 aircraft, and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC from June 30 to Aug. 4, in and around the Hawaiian Islands and Southern California. The world's largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity that helps participants foster and sustain the cooperative relationships that are critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world's oceans. RIMPAC 2016 is the 25th exercise in the series that began in 1971. (U.S. Navy Combat Camera photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Ace Rheaume/Released)

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ALAMEDA, Calif. –The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Stratton will return home to Alameda Thursday at 10 a.m. after a 114-day deployment spanning the Pacific Ocean from Hawaii to the Arctic.

“Our crew logged more than 19,500 miles during this deployment,” said U.S. Coast Guard Captain Nate Moore, the Commanding Officer of the Stratton. “Their participation in a major international military exercise, support of the Coast Guard’s expanding role in the Arctic domain, and commitment to pursue excellence in mission execution has made this an extremely successful deployment.”

The crew of the Stratton participated in two high profile exercises during this deployment: the Rim of the Pacific 2016 (RIMPAC) military exercises and Operation Arctic Shield 2016.

Held every two years and hosted by the U.S. Navy 3rd Fleet, RIMPAC is a multinational maritime exercise that takes place in and around the Hawaiian Islands. RIMPAC is focused on improving international naval cooperation amongst naval military organizations from around the globe.  The 2016 exercise included 26 nations, 45 ships, and more than 200 aircraft. The Stratton was the third consecutive National Security Cutter to serve as commander of the Combined Task Force 175, a multinational task force comprised of nine ships and 13 aircraft from the United States, China, France and Indonesia.

Participation in RIMPAC 2016 highlighted the Coast Guard’s unique capabilities and partnerships with Department of Defense entities and international partners along the Pacific Rim. The Stratton participated in training evolutions that included complex ship formations, joint flight operations with the U.S. Navy MH-60S Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC-21), an aviation detachment from San Diego; live fire exercises; personnel and logistics transfers, and maritime interdiction operations.  Successfully completing this integrated training with HSC-21 and deploying together for RIMPAC 2016 represent the first extended Navy aviation deployment aboard a Coast Guard cutter.

Operation Arctic Shield is an annual operation coordinated by the Coast Guard that focuses on building and strengthening partnerships, improving maritime domain awareness, and modernizing governance.  As part of Arctic Shield 2016, the Coast Guard deployed cutters, aircraft, and personnel to northern Alaska to engage in operations encompassing a variety of Coast Guard missions across the North Slope.  

“The nature of maritime activity in the Arctic is evolving,” said Vice Adm. Fred M. Midgette, Commander of the Pacific Area Command. “Operation Arctic Shield 2016 gave the Coast Guard an opportunity to test capabilities to ensure the right resources are used to conduct future maritime operations in the region. As the lead federal agency for maritime safety, security and stewardship in the Arctic, the Coast Guard is committed to a proactive prevention and response presence in the Arctic.”

Stratton also conducted community relations and outreach activities to several Arctic communities. The Coast Guard has a long history of working with Alaska Native partners who reside in the Arctic. Stratton crewmembers engaged with local search and rescue entities, and tribal and government officials in order to improve interoperability and communications.  Activities with Arctic tribal communities were coordinated with the 17th Coast Guard District Tribal Liaison, the Alaska Eskimo Whaling Commission, and the city managers of Wainwright and Teller, Alaska.

Stratton is the Coast Guard's third 418-foot Legend-Class National Security Cutter, incorporated into the fleet to replace the 378-foot Hamilton-class cutters that were commissioned between 1967 and 1972. Stratton was delivered to the Coast Guard in September 2011 and commissioned into Coast Guard Service March 2012.  Stratton and the other NSCs routinely conduct operations from South America to the Bering Sea in support of global security operations.  The ship’s range, speed, and ability to operate in extreme weather conditions enable this platform to conduct counter-narcotics, homeland security, alien-migrant interdiction, living marine resource enforcement, search and rescue, and other Coast Guard missions far from shore. 

Media interested in attending the arrival of the Stratton please contact the Pacific Area public affairs officer at 510-437-5637. Photo I.D. and proof of insurance are required to gain access on the base. 

PACIFIC OCEAN (July 28, 2016) The U.S. Coast Guard cutter USCG Stratton (WMSL 752) steams in close formation as one of 40 ships and submarines representing 13 international partner nations during Rim of the Pacific 2016. Twenty-six nations, more than 40 ships and submarines, more than 200 aircraft, and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC from June 30 to Aug. 4, in and around the Hawaiian Islands andSouthern California. The world's largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity that helps participants foster and sustain the cooperative relationships that are critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world's oceans. RIMPAC 2016 is the 25th exercise in the series that began in 1971. U.S. Navy video by Chief (select) Mass Communication Specialist Paul S.

To download this video, please click on the thumbnail above.

 

PACIFIC OCEAN (July 15, 2016) - Coast Guard Cutter Stratton's crew receives fuel from USNS Rappahannock (T-AO-204) during Rim of the Pacific 2016. Twenty-six nations, 49 ships, six submarines, about 200 aircraft, and 25,00 personnel are participating in RIMPAC from June 29 to Aug. 4 in and around the Hawaiian Islands and Southern California. The world's largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity while fostering and sustaining cooperative relationships between participants critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world's oceans. RIMPAC 2016 is the 25th exercise in the series that began in 1971. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Loumania Stewart.

To download this image, please click on the thumbnail above.

 

PACIFIC OCEAN (July 18, 2016) Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class James McDonald, aviation rescue swimmer from the "Blackjacks" of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 21, prepares for vertical hoist training for an exercise during Rim of the Pacfic 2016. Coast Guard Cutter Stratton's crewmember boards Navy guided-missile destroyer USS Stockdale for a suspected smuggling exercise during Rim of the Pacific exercise 2016. Twenty-six nations, more than 40 ships and submarines, more than 200 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC from June 30 to Aug. 4, in and around the Hawaiian Islands and Southern California. The world's largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC provides a unique training opportunity that helps participants foster and sustain the cooperative relationships that are critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world's oceans. RIMPAC 2016 is the 25th exercise in the series that began in 1971. (U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Loumania Stewart/Released)

To download this image, please click on the thumbnail above.

 

KODIAK, Alaska (August 16, 2016) Petty Officer 3rd Class Rilee Williams suits up in his safety gear for a training exercise on Tuesday, August 16, 2016, on the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Stratton as part of Operation Arctic Shield 2016. As part of Arctic Shield 2016, the Coast Guard will deploy cutters, aircraft, and personnel to the region to engage in operations encompassing a variety of Coast Guard missions across the North Slope. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Lt.j.g. Gina Caylor.

To download this image, please click on the thumbnail above.

 

KODIAK, Alaska (August 16, 2016) U.S. Coast Guard Ensign Paul Puddington signals the crew of a Coast Guard helicopter during a training exercise on Tuesday, August 16, 2016, on the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Stratton as part of Operation Arctic Shield 2016. As part of Arctic Shield 2016, the Coast Guard will deploy cutters, aircraft, and personnel to the region to engage in operations encompassing a variety of Coast Guard missions across the North Slope. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Lt.j.g. Gina Caylor.

To download this image, please click on the thumbnail above.

 

ARCTIC OCEAN (August 28, 2016) The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Stratton patrols the ice edge in the Arctic Ocean in support of Arctic Shield 2016 on Sunday, August 28, 2016. As the Arctic environment continues to grow and evolve maritime activity associated with industry, the use of the northern sea route, transits through the Bering Strait and Sea, and cruise ship traffic is significantly increasing the demand for maritime preparedness in this remote region. Operation Arctic Shield in an opportunity for the Coast Guard to test capabilities to ensure the right resources are used to conduct future maritime operations in the region. U.S Coast Guard Photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Justin Leddon.

To download this image, please click on the thumbnail above.

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