COAST GUARD CUTTER FORWARD RETURNS HOME

PORTSMOUTH, Va.— The Coast Guard Cutter Forward is scheduled to return home today at 2 p.m. after a 67-day counter-drug patrol in the southern Caribbean Sea.

Forward used an HH-65 Dolphin helicopter, deployed aboard for the duration of the patrol, as well as assets from both the Coast Guard and other agencies to help monitor, detect and interdict vessels suspected of smuggling illegal drugs.

The highlight of the patrol came on the morning of April 16th, when Forward, working in conjunction with the USS Doyle, stopped a go-fast boat carrying over 5,000 pounds of cocaine with a street value of over $150 million.

As the Doyle chased the go-fast from one angle, and its SH-60 helicopter hovered closely over the go-fast as it tried to outrun its pursuer, the Forward came from an opposite direction to cut it off. Forward reciprocated evasive maneuvers by the go-fast until the cutter was in a position to fire warning shots over its bow with .50 caliber machine gun fire. The warning shots had the desired affect and the vessel stopped.

While the Doyle recovered the jettisoned bales of cocaine, Forward’s boarding team arrested six suspects aboard the go-fast vessel.

Forward is one of six 270-foot medium endurance cutters stationed at Integrated Support Command in Portsmouth.

Video of the April 16th interdiction is available.

Members of the media interested in attending the homecoming are invited to call PA3 Larry Chambers at 398-6272.