U.S. Coast Guard photos by Chief Warrant Officer Paul Swisher.
SEATTLE — The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Midgett returned to Seattle Thursday upon concluding a month-long deployment to San Diego for annual Tailored Ship’s Training Assessment exercises.
The Midgett crew earned Battle “E” excellence awards in all five combat warfare areas during the training exercises.
“I couldn’t be more proud of our crew,” said Capt. Brendan McPherson, commanding officer. “This training and evaluation is critical to our ability to perform a wide range of missions, and this crew excelled in demonstrating their readiness and proficiency. We look forward to putting these newly-honed skills to work during our next operational deployment.”
Midgett left Seattle Jan. 12 to begin a three-week training cycle to gauge the readiness of the cutter and crew in every aspect of Coast Guard operations. The assessment started well before the crew headed to San Diego. In November 2014, the crew conducted a comprehensive Command Assessment of Readiness and Training inspection to prepare for TSTA.
In the final assessment, the crew responded to a variety of combat and operational scenarios that tested their Damage Control, Engineering, Navigation and Seamanship, Medical, Force Protection, and Combat Systems proficiency and readiness. Thanks to proper training, comprehensive preparations and positive attitudes, Midgett’s crew is returning home with a “Clean Sweep” after earning the Battle “E” in every warfare area, the highest achievement available.
“They have proven that they are ready to take on any challenge that we may face in the future,” said McPherson.
Coast Guard cutter crews are required to complete TSTA every 12 to18 months.
Midgett, a 378-foot, high-endurance cutter, serves as a platform for the crew to conduct homeland security, search-and-rescue, maritime law enforcement, and drug and migrant interdiction operations from the Bering Sea to Central American waters.
For more information or to arrange to interview a member of the Midgett, contact Lt. Donnie Brzuska, Coast Guard Pacific Area Public Affairs, at 510-437-3319.