Release from HII

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Contract Extends HII’s ISR Mission Support Across Domains 

MCLEAN, Va., (Oct. 17, 2023) — HII (NYSE: HII) announced today that its Mission Technologies division was awarded a $244 million task order to integrate Minotaur software products into maritime platforms for the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Coast Guard. 

HII was awarded this contract under the Department of Defense (DoD) Information Analysis Center’s (IAC) multiple-award contract (MAC) vehicle.  IAC MAC task orders are awarded by the U.S. Air Force’s 774th Enterprise Sourcing Squadron to develop and create new knowledge for the enhancement of the Defense Technical Information Center repository and the research and development and science and technology community. 

Under the Naval Air Systems Command task order, HII will perform research, development, test and evaluation to facilitate the integration of Minotaur Family of Services products into the services’ maritime platforms to meet intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance warfighting requirements. 

Minotaur products support the warfighter by enhancing sensor performance and presenting data from multiple types of sensors, including radar and C5ISR equipment, into a single common operating picture and transmitting that data to other platforms and units during operations. 

HII has been the first and only industry prime developer of Minotaur since the program was first awarded to industry in 2020. 

The contract has a five-year period of performance, with work conducted at contractor facilities in various U.S. locations. 

“HII has been at the forefront of Minotaur software development for nearly a decade,” said Andy Green, executive vice president of HII and president of Mission Technologies. “It’s a privilege to continue this mission-critical work and to concurrently deliver the advantage to three branches of the Armed Forces.” 

“We are pleased that the Navy has selected this proven technology to meet the combined requirements of next-generation Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard ISR platforms,” said Todd Gentry, president of Mission Technologies’ C5ISR business group. “We have assembled an outstanding team and look forward to expanding our longstanding partnership with the Navy and supporting the tri-service maritime strategy.” 

Release from U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area 

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Oct. 16, 2023 

NEWPORT, R.I.  — The crew of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Campbell (WMEC 909) returned to their home port in Newport, Friday, following a 75-day multi-mission patrol to the South Florida Straits and Windward Passage. 

Campbell deployed in support of Homeland Security Task Force – Southeast and Operation Vigilant Sentry within the Coast Guard Seventh District’s area of responsibility. Campbell’s crew conducted maritime safety and security missions while working to detect, deter, and intercept unsafe and illegal maritime migration ventures bound for the United States. Over the course of the patrol, Campbell’s crew rescued, cared for and repatriated 111 migrants. 

Notably, Campbell teamed up with U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Valiant (WMEC 621) for a search and rescue and law enforcement operation ahead of Hurricane Idalia. While transiting 70 miles east of Tybee Island, Georgia, Valiant located a makeshift hydro-pod vessel adrift. The vessel operator refused a Coast Guard Captain of the Port order to return to port due to a manifestly unsafe voyage. Campbell arrived on scene and facilitated the operator’s safe evacuation from the vessel less than 24 hours prior to the arrival of tropical storm force winds and seas. 

“I am very proud of everything the Campbell and our crew accomplished this patrol, from protecting mariners from the treacherous seas of tropical cyclones to standing the watch along our southeast maritime border,” said Cmdr. Jonathan Harris, commanding officer of Campbell. “This crew continues to live up to the ship’s motto of ‘Pride – Tradition – Readiness’ as we celebrate 35 years of Campbell’s service to our nation.” 

HSTF-SE serves as the Department of Homeland Security lead for operational and tactical planning, command and control, and acts as a standing organization to interdict illegal maritime migration attempts with federal, state and local partners. HSTF-SE continues enhanced enforcement efforts in support of OVS, the 2004 DHS plan to respond to irregular and unlawful mass maritime migration in the Caribbean Sea and the Florida Straits. 

Campbell is a 270-foot, Famous-class medium endurance cutter. The cutter’s primary missions are counter-narcotics operations, migrant interdiction, living marine resources protection, and search and rescue in support of U.S. Coast Guard operations throughout the Western Hemisphere. 

For information on how to join the U.S. Coast Guard, visit GoCoastGuard.com to learn about active duty, reserve, officer, and enlisted opportunities. Information on how to apply to the U.S. Coast Guard Academy can be found here. 

Release from U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area 

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Oct. 16, 2023 

Coast Guard Cutter Valiant returns home after $30 million drug seizure, rescue of 2 

U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area 

MAYPORT, Fla.— The crew of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Valiant (WMEC 621) returned home, Thursday, to Naval Station Mayport after completing a 49-day deployment in the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and Florida Straits.  

Patrolling in support of the Homeland Security Task Force – Southeast’s Operation Vigilant Sentry and Joint Interagency Task Force-South, in the Seventh Coast Guard District’s area of responsibility, Valiant’s crew conducted maritime safety and security missions.  

During the patrol, Valiant assisted two lives at sea during two separate search and rescue cases.  

The cutter’s crew also conducted counterdrug operations, interdicting one go-fast vessel with over 97 pounds of cocaine and assisting international partners, the Royal Netherlands Navy patrol vessel HNLMS Groningen (P843), with two additional interdictions. Throughout the patrol, Valiant seized or assisted in the seizure of more than $30 million in illegal narcotics.  

Valiant’s crew later transitioned to migrant interdiction operations and embarked and cared for over 50 migrants in the Florida Straits.  

“Valiant’s crew had an exceptional patrol,” said Lt. Kristian Sova, Valiant’s operations officer. “We participated in multiple Coast Guard mission sets, combatting the illegal trafficking of drugs and saving lives at sea. We look forward to getting home and celebrating with our families.”  

Detecting and interdicting illegal drug traffickers on the high seas involves significant interagency and international coordination. JIATF-South in Key West, Florida, conducts detection and monitoring of aerial and maritime transit of illegal drugs. Once interdiction becomes imminent, the law enforcement phase of the operation begins, and control of the operation shifts to the U.S. Coast Guard throughout the interdiction and apprehension process. Interdictions in the Caribbean Sea are performed by members of the U.S. Coast Guard under the authority and control of the Coast Guard’s Seventh District, headquartered in Miami. 

Valiant is a 210-foot, Reliance-class medium endurance cutter. The cutter’s primary missions are counter-drug operations, migrant interdiction, enforcement of federal fishery laws, and search and rescue in support of U.S. Coast Guard operations throughout the Western Hemisphere. 

For more information on Valiant, visit https://www.atlanticarea.uscg.mil/Area-Cutters/CGCVALIANT/. 

For information on how to join the U.S. Coast Guard, visit GoCoastGuard.com to learn about active duty, reserve, officer, and enlisted opportunities. Information on how to apply to the U.S. Coast Guard Academy can be found here. 

Release from U.S. Naval Forces Central Command Public Affairs  

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By U.S. Naval Forces Central Command Public Affairs | October 11, 2023 

MANAMA, Bahrain — The U.S. Coast Guard Sentinel-class fast response cutter USCGC John Scheuerman (WPC 1146) seized about $25 million worth of illegal drugs from a stateless vessel while operating in the international waters of the Gulf of Oman, Oct. 3. 

The cutter, working under the command of Combined Task Force (CTF) 150, seized 360 kilograms of methamphetamines, 107 kilograms of heroin and 1,961 kilograms of hashish from the vessel during an interdiction operation. 

This event marks the second time in a month that CTF 150 has interdicted illicit narcotics at sea. Last month, the Royal Navy frigate HMS Lancaster (F229) seized more than 450 kilograms, or approximately $9.5 million, of illegal drugs including heroin and hashish during a CTF 150 operation in the Arabian Sea. 

“This new seizure, the second since the French Navy took command of CTF 150 last July, again shows the commitment of Combined Maritime Forces working together to enhance maritime security in the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean,” said French Navy Capt. Yannick Bossu, commander of CTF 150. 

CTF 150 is one of five task forces under Combined Maritime Forces, the largest multinational naval partnership in the world. CTF 150 focuses on maritime security operations outside the Arabian Gulf. 

Since 2021, Combined Maritime Forces has seized more than $1 billion in illegal drugs while patrolling waters across the Middle East. 

The 38-nation naval partnership upholds the international rules-based order by promoting security and stability across 3.2 million square miles of water encompassing some of the world’s most important shipping lanes. 

Release from Coast Guard Headquarters 

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From Coast Guard Headquarters, Oct. 10, 2023 

WASHINGTON – Marine safety engineers with the Coast Guard’s Marine Board of Investigation (MBI) recovered and transferred remaining Titan submersible debris and evidence from the North Atlantic Ocean seafloor, Oct. 4. 

The salvage mission, which was conducted under an existing agreement with U.S. Navy Supervisor of Salvage & Diving, was a follow-up to initial recovery operations following the loss of the Titan submersible. Investigators from the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Transportation Safety Board of Canada joined the salvage expedition as part of their respective safety investigations.  

The recovered evidence was successfully transferred to a U.S. port for cataloging and analysis. Additional presumed human remains were carefully recovered from within Titan’s debris and transported for analysis by U.S. medical professionals. 

The MBI is coordinating with NTSB and other international investigative agencies to schedule a joint evidence review of recovered Titan debris. This review session will help determine the next steps for necessary forensic testing. 

The MBI will continue evidence analysis and witness interviews ahead of a public hearing regarding this tragedy. 

Additional updates will be available on the Titan Submersible Marine Board of Investigation webpage: www.news.uscg.mil/News-by-Region/Headquarters/TITAN-submersible. A full resolution, downloadable version of the above photo is available at DVIDS – Images – Titan Marine Board of Investigation conducts recovery operations (dvidshub.net) 

Anyone wishing to provide information that may assist the Coast Guard MBI can submit it to [email protected]. Media may contact [email protected]. 

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Oct. 5, 2023 

By U.S. Coast Guard District 11 

SAN FRANCISCO — The U.S. Coast Guard will participate in the annual San Francisco Fleet Week from October 2-10 in San Francisco Bay.  

Throughout the week, the Coast Guard will showcase its capabilities and commitment to the community through various public engagements, including weekend ship tours of the National Security Cutter Waesche (WMSL-751) and Fast Response Cutter Benjamin Bottoms (WPC 1132), search-and-rescue demonstrations and recruiting booths with static displays at the Fleet Week Expo on the Marina Green from Oct. 5-8, and more.  

“We are honored to be a part of San Francisco Fleet Week – we are the largest branch of service in the Bay Area, and we are thrilled to be a large piece of this honored event,” said Rear Adm. Andrew Sugimoto, commander 11^th Coast Guard District. Our vast mission specialties gives us an opportunity to help ensure a safe event for everyone, as well as highlight the skills and capabilities of our service.”  

San Francisco Fleet Week is a multi-day event that celebrates our nation’s sea services and offers the public a unique opportunity to engage with the men and women serving in the U.S. Coast Guard, Navy, and Marine Corps.  

“We are the oldest continuous seagoing service in the U.S. and encourage more young men and women to join our ranks,” said Capt. Taylor Lam, commander, Coast Guard Sector San Francisco. “We hope that our presence at Fleet Week will be an opportunity for visitors to learn more about us.”  

Media interested in interviewing Coast Guard personnel during San Francisco Fleet Week can contact District 11 Public Affairs via email at [email protected] or at 510-437-3808.  

The U.S. Coast Guard invites the public to celebrate our nation’s sea services and meet our Coast Guard members. For more information about San Francisco Fleet Week, click here.  

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Air Station Detroit 

Sept. 29, 2023 
 

MT. CLEMENS, Mich. — Coast Guard Air Station Detroit received its first upgraded MH-65E Dolphin helicopter Tuesday to replace the legacy MH-65D helicopters that support Coast Guard missions throughout the Great Lakes region. 
 
The avionics upgrade to the “E” configuration provides enhanced search and rescue capabilities including modern “glass cockpit” technology that increases pilot and aircrew situational awareness and provides commonality with the service’s MH-60T Jayhawk fleet. 
 
The Dolphin upgrades also include reliability and capability improvements for the automatic flight control system, enhanced digital weather and surface radar, and multifunctional displays with more accurate fuel calculations. 
 
The upgrades comply with the Federal Aviation Administration’s Next Generation Airspace Transportation System requirements and extend the aircraft service life to the late 2030s. 
The transition of Air Station Detroit’s five MH-65D helicopters to the upgraded “E” configuration is expected to take approximately two months. 
 
During the upgrade period, the unit’s 23 pilots will undergo a three-week transition course at the Coast Guard’s Aviation Training Center in Mobile, Ala. Aircrew and mechanics will receive formal training specific to their roles and duties delivered by a team from the Coast Guard’s Aviation Technical Training Center in Elizabeth City, N.C. 
 
“The upgrades and advanced training will enhance the situational awareness of our aircrews and improve our mission planning capabilities” said Cmdr. Christian Polyak, commanding officer of Air Station Detroit. “The replacement and inspection of key aircraft components as a part of the upgrade also extend the aircraft’s service life and enable us to continue ensuring maritime safety, security and stewardship far into the future.” 
 
Air Station Detroit Dolphin helicopter crews perform search and rescue, maritime law enforcement and marine environmental protection, and provide aids to navigation and ice patrol support throughout the Great Lakes region. Air Station Detroit helicopters and aircrews also provide support to augment the North American Aerospace Defense Command’s airspace security mission in Washington, D.C., and throughout the country as required for national security. 
 
Each MH-65D undergoes a six-month conversion to the MH-65E at the Coast Guard’s Aviation Logistics Center in Elizabeth City, N.C. Detroit is the 11th of 13 MH-65 Air Stations to receive the upgraded MH-65E. The Coast Guard plans to complete conversion of all 98 of its Dolphin helicopters to the MH-65E configuration by the end of 2024. 
 
For more information visit the MH-65 Program page at SRR – MH-65 (uscg.mil). 

Release from U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area, Sept. 28, 2023 

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CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — The crew of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Confidence (WMEC 619) returned to their homeport in Cape Canaveral, Sept. 20, following a 62-day deployment to the Caribbean Sea. 

From their homeport in eastern Florida, Confidence’s crew sailed to the central Caribbean Sea and conducted a counternarcotics patrol with an embarked helicopter and aircrew from the Helicopter Interdiction Tactical Squadron while in support of Joint Interagency Task Force – South. While underway, Confidence worked with air and sea assets from partner agencies, allied militaries, and other Coast Guard units. 

Confidence’s crew conducted four separate drug cases within a span of four days and prosecuted an additional case while returning to homeport. In total, these five interdictions resulted in the apprehension of 15 suspected narco-traffickers and prevented the flow of over 6,000 pounds of illicit substances, valued at over $85 million, from reaching the United States. 

In addition to enforcing U.S. law at sea and supporting the Coast Guard’s counterdrug mission, the crew of the Confidence also interdicted an unlawful migrant venture in the Mona Passage that originated from the Dominican Republic. While protecting the sovereign maritime borders of the U.S., the interdiction by Confidence resulted in the successful rescue of 42 migrants aboard the makeshift vessel, which was taking on water. 

“I am extremely proud of the Confidence crew for their teamwork, devotion to duty and commitment to keeping the streets of the U.S. and our partner allies safe,” said Cmdr. Thomas Martin, commanding officer of Coast Guard Cutter Confidence. “Members of all ranks showcased exceptional professionalism and perseverance over the course of this patrol, enabling our success. I also appreciate the contributions of our DoD, DHS and international partners, making this patrol a success.” 

The seized drugs were later transferred in Miami to partner law enforcement agencies during Confidence’s transit home. 

Confidence’s crew steamed over 9,000 miles while conducting training, law enforcement missions, search and rescue, and helicopter operations throughout the Caribbean Sea deployment. 

Confidence is a 210-foot, Reliance-class medium-endurance cutter with a crew complement of 70. The cutter’s primary missions are counter-drug operations, migrant interdiction, enforcement of federal fishery laws, and search and rescue in support of U.S. Coast Guard operations throughout the Western Hemisphere. 

For information on how to join the U.S. Coast Guard, visit GoCoastGuard.com to learn about active duty, reserve, officer, and enlisted opportunities. Information on how to apply to the U.S. Coast Guard Academy can be found here. 

Release from U.S. Coast Guard Pacific Area  

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Sept. 28, 2023 

EAST SIBEREAN SEA – U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Healy (WAGB 20) crew and embarked researchers completed the 2023 U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) mission, Saturday, servicing the Nansen and Amundsen Basins Observational System (NABOS). 

The month-long mission’s objective was to recover, service, and replace an array of nine long-term subsurface moorings that encircled the Siberian shelf from the Eurasian Basin to the East Siberian Sea.  

These moorings provide insight into how warm water from the Atlantic Ocean enters the Arctic, impacting the deep basin interior, upper ocean, and sea ice as it circulates in the region and beyond. 

In addition, Healy is specially equipped to execute Conductivity, Temperature, and Depth (CTD) casts, sampling the water column in areas normally inaccessible due to pack ice. During this month-long mission, the cutter conducted 41 such casts. 

Since its beginning in 2002, the primary goal of the NSF-funded NABOS project has been to gain a better understanding of the circulation and transformation of Atlantic waters in the Arctic Ocean. Missions from 2021 to 2025 aim to quantify the role of freshwater as a regulator of heat transfer from Atlantic waters to the sea ice, according to project leader Igor Polyakov at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks. 

With these observations, NABOS looks to inform the scientific community and public on the potential impacts to Arctic sea-ice coverage and marine ecosystems, and the expanding effect on the mid-latitudes. The success of NABOS since its earliest days has always been reliant on international partnerships, researchers of diverse backgrounds, and assets such as Healy achieving the results for which the project is known.  

Healy is the Coast Guard’s only research icebreaker, as well as the nation’s sole surface presence routinely operating in the Arctic Ocean.  The platform is ideally specialized for projects like NABOS; providing access to the most remote reaches of the Arctic Ocean; areas barricaded by pack ice and insurmountable by most research vessels.   

Commissioned in 1999, the Healy is one of two active polar icebreakers and is the largest and most technologically advanced icebreaker in the Coast Guard. The Healy’s crew compliment of 84 supports the ship’s primary mission of scientific support. 

Release from U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area 

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PORTSMOUTH, Va. – The crew of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Forward (WMEC 911) returned to their homeport in Portsmouth, Tuesday, following a 78-day deployment in the North Atlantic Ocean. 

Throughout the deployment, Forward supported the U.S. Coast Guard’s Arctic Strategy and partnered with allied nations and agencies during Operation Nanook 2023, an annual Canadian-led military exercise to strengthen maritime objectives in the high northern latitudes. 

Alongside Canadian and French forces navigating the waters of the North Atlantic Ocean, Forward’s crew performed training evolutions including towing and formation steaming, replenishment at sea, visual communications tactical signaling, and cross-deck exercises. In addition, an attached team from Coast Guard Tactical Law Enforcement Team Pacific conducted a boarding exercise with French Navy vessel BSAM Garonne to demonstrate at-sea capabilities and assist in enhancing partner training curriculums. 

During the deployment, Forward also completed two living marine resources enforcement patrols. The first was carried out in support of the First Coast Guard District’s living marine resources mission. The second, conducted alongside international partners, was focused on commercial fishing vessels inspections as part of the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization. The NAFO fisheries patrol ensured compliance with international fishing norms while safeguarding natural resources and preserving fish stocks, all reinforcing U.S. dedication to combatting illegal, unregulated, and unreported fishing. 

Forward collaborated with embarked U.S. Navy personnel from the Unmanned Undersea Vehicle Flotilla-1 team to launch their Razorback UUV. The undersea vehicle, equipped with mapping and sonar capabilities, deployed deeper than any U.S. Navy submersible and traveled to a depth of nearly 2,000 feet (600 meters). 

Members from the U.S. Navy’s Afloat Training Group Atlantic were also embarked aboard Forward to help build their service’s Arctic Vision Initiative, which will serve to inform U.S. Navy training entities of seamanship, navigation, engineering, and medical considerations necessary for operating naval vessels in the polar regions. 

Forward sailed more than 10,500 nautical miles while the crew liaised with international partners through a series of port calls. Forward visited Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, during their Natal Day celebration to observe the province’s birthday. Crew members then traveled to Nuuk, Greenland, and completed a short visit to St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada, before transiting back to the United States. 

Forward ended the deployment by hosting several Indo-Pacific heads of state who were participating in the 2023 U.S.-Pacific Island Country Summit in Baltimore, Maryland. Approximately 40 international guests joined Forward for a tour and reception ahead of the transfer of U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Harriet Lane (WMEC 903) to a Pacific Ocean homeport. 

“We had the opportunity to advance objectives of the Arctic Strategy and support the IUU Fishing Strategic Outlook,” said Cmdr. Staci Rutsch, commanding officer of Forward. “Acting as true ambassadors, we represented the nation in diplomatic engagements with NATO partners, reinforcing U.S. interests and solidifying the USCG as being the partner of choice. This crew’s ability to shift to perform highly in our non-standard missions leaves me impressed and motivated every day.” 

For information on how to join the U.S. Coast Guard, visit www.GoCoastGuard.com to learn more about active duty and reserve officer and enlisted opportunities. Information on how to apply to the U.S. Coast Guard Academy can be found here.