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Navy Customs Inspectors Return Home After Seven Months in Middle East

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS080421-14
Release Date: 4/21/2008 4:21:00 PM

By Lt. Penny Cockerell, Navy Expeditionary Logistics Support Group Public Affairs

NORFOLK (NNS) -- Four hundred Navy Reservists from across the country returned to Norfolk on April 19 and April 21 after a seven-month deployment as customs inspectors supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

On April 21, dozens of family members waited outside the AMC Terminal customs area at Naval Station Norfolk, anxiously checking faces as the plane-weary men and women trickled through, desert gear in tow. Some relatives traveled from as far as Tampa and Chicago to greet their loved ones.

"It's wonderful to have him back," said the wife of Master-at-Arms 2nd Class David Townsend.

Reservists were mobilized by the Navy Expeditionary Logistics Support Group (NAVELSG) in Williamsburg, Va., where they spent six weeks training for the mission. During that time they learned customs duties, combat skills, weapons qualifications, convoy driving and combat lifesaving techniques.

They deployed from 36 states, including Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia and ranged in age from 21 to 58. They formed the sixth rotation of NAVELSG customs inspectors and were known as Customs Battalion Tango. They performed their mission at various locations in Kuwait and Iraq.

"It was a great experience all around," said Storekeeper 2nd Class Michael McGee, who was based at a small customs operation in Iraq.

This was McGee's second customs deployment. He said this time he mentored his junior Sailors, as he was mentored when he deployed with Customs Battalion Papa two years ago.

"Up there you have the whole gamut – passenger inspections, vehicle inspections -- and you work with the Army and Air Force a lot," McGee said. "It's a much smaller group to deal with, so we got real tight."

Customs inspectors are the first line of defense against the introduction of foreign plant and animal pests and diseases to the United States and help prevent contraband from entering this country. These Sailors served as Department of Homeland Security customs inspectors at various locations in Iraq and Kuwait.

Tango Sailors also ensured that returning military equipment conformed to United States Department of Agriculture standards; and that all gear returning with men and women serving abroad complied with United States customs regulations.

During their deployment, Tango customs inspectors handled more than 179,000 passengers; 473,500 bags and 7,500 vehicles. They seized 26,100 items of contraband and kept a total of 121,700 unauthorized items from returning to the United States.

These Sailors also assisted with the newly formed Warrior Transition Program, helping some 2,500 individual Sailors, known as individual augmentees, as they began their transition home.

During their deployment, one NAVELSG Sailor became a U.S. citizen; two Sailors earned their Bachelor of Science degrees; and one Sailor earned a Master of Science degree.

Six babies were born to the families of these Sailors while they were in the desert.

Tango also had 26 Sailors reenlist in the Navy while deployed with the Customs Battalion. Promotions went to 39 Sailors, including six chiefs. Four officers were also promoted.

Customs Battalion Tango was the sixth rotation of Navy Customs inspectors sent to the Middle East since the Navy took over the mission from the Air Force in February 2005.

Nearly 40 percent of Tango's Sailors were handpicked from the Submarine Force, which included 20 percent of the officers and chiefs.

Capt. Mark Q. Schwartzel, a submariner who headed the "Tango Tigersharks" said they set the bar high for NAVLESG Forward Hotel, who became the seventh rotation of Navy Customs inspectors when they departed for Kuwait and Iraq on March 31.

"We had fewer demobs, fewer discipline problems, no safety issues," Schwartzel said. "They far exceeded my expectations and I'm grateful to get everyone home with the exception of MC1 Jeffries."

Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Victor Jeffries, 52, was killed in an auto accident in December. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star and was given the Hawaii Medal of Honor by his home state.

For more news from Navy Expeditionary Logistics Support Group, visit www.navy.mil/local/nelsf/.