Halyburton Supports Counter-Drug Operations
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS041108-08
Release Date: 11/8/2004 3:22:00 PM
By Journalist 1st Class (SCW/SS) James Pinksy, Navy News Service
MANTA, Ecuador (NNS) -- USS Halyburton (FFG 40) pulled into Manta, Ecuador, for a scheduled port visit in November, more than a month after setting sail from Mayport, Fla., marking an end to a successful first month of a scheduled six-month deployment.
The frigate deployed in early October to participate in Operation Caper Focus, an interagency counter-narcotics operation designed to curb the influx of illegal narcotics coming into America.
Halyburton deployed to the U.S. Southern Command area of operations to intercept and provide boarding opportunities of suspected drug traffickers and their support vessels for the U.S. Coast Guard law enforcement detachment (LEDET) 402, Miami, embarked on the naval vessel.
In addition to a complement of U.S. Coast Guard LEDET boarding personnel, Halyburton has an air detachment from Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron, Light (HSL) 48, Det. 7 and one SH-60B Seahawk LAMPS III helicopter, stationed in Mayport, Fla.
"Being out here chasing down drug smugglers matters," said Culinary Specialist 1st Class Christopher Jefferson aboard Halyburton. "It matters a lot to me personally because I have two little ones (children) who one day might have to face dealing with illegal drugs, and I want to do what ever I can to minimize that risk."
While Halyburton is indeed chasing down suspected drug smugglers and their support vessels, they do so only in a supportive nature. The U.S. Coast Guard LEDET must carry out any law enforcement operations throughout Halyburton's involvement with Operation Caper Focus because of the "Posse Commitatus" act, passed after the reconstruction period of the U.S. Civil War, which prohibits the military from enforcing any laws. To facilitate this kind of operation, Halyburton falls under tactical control of Joint Interagency Task Force (JIATF) South while remaining under the operational control of Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command during counter-drug operations.
Since deploying, Halyburton has successfully intercepted numerous suspected drug smuggling and drug smuggling support vessels. One opportunity resulted in U.S. Coast Guard LEDET 402 successfully boarding and seizing a suspected drug smuggling support vessel.
"When we got our first actual boarding opportunity," said Quartermaster 2nd Class Steven Schulwolf, "the entire boat got excited."
During any U.S. Coast Guard boarding opportunity, one of the busiest teams on the ship becomes Halyburton's own Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) team. The specially-trained unit supplements the U.S. Coast Guard's boarding team by providing security during boardings, detainee movement and post-seizure watches of detainees.
"Being a part of Halyburton's VBSS team has definitely been a unique experience," said Halyburton VBSS team member Seaman Jose Leon. "My first real boarding opened my eyes to what doing this is all about. It helped having the Coast Guard on board, because they are experts at what they do, and they helped train us during the deployment for the kinds of situations they knew we would encounter. I'm definitely going to stay a member of the VBSS team."
During the U.S. Coast Guard's investigation, the small fishing vessel, suspected of refueling smaller "go-fast" drug smuggling boats, was found to be unsafe for maritime navigation. After U.S. Coast Guard officials safely detained the vessel's crew aboard Halyburton, JIATF South ordered Halyburton to sink the vessel. Halyburton used one of its 25mm cannons to carry out JIATF South's orders.
"The proudest moment for me as an officer," said Halyburton Combat Systems Officer Brian Diebold, "was watching one of my gunner's mates put ordnance downrange and on target. He sank that vessel, and the look on his face was priceless. I'll keep those pictures for the rest of my life."
Halyburton is scheduled to end its six-month deployment in April 2005.
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