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September 12, 2011

Coast Guard cutter Forward returns to Portsmouth from Africa

By Corinne Reilly
The Virginian-Pilot
© September 12, 2011

After four months in Africa, the crew of the Coast Guard cutter Forward came home to Portsmouth on Sunday, the Guard said this morning.
 
Crew size About 110

Leader Cmdr. Michael Stewart

Location of deployment Western Africa

Deployed Late May

Returned Sunday

Highlights The cutter Forward was deployed for 107 days in support of the African Maritime Law Enforcement Partnership, which aims to strengthen African militaries and maritime law enforcement agencies. The Forward’s crew worked with personnel from Liberia, Sierra Leone, Senegal, Cape Verde, Gambia and Guinea, carrying out joint trainings, as well as vessel searches and seizures. The crew also helped with repair projects at African schools and hospitals.

During the four-month deployment, the Forward transited more than 17,000 nautical miles, visited nine countries and spent nearly 2,000 hours at sea, according to the Coast Guard.