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USS McInerney Sailors Recognized for Counter-Illicit Trafficking Success

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS081110-08
Release Date: 11/10/2008 5:58:00 AM

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Alan Gragg, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/ U.S. 4th Fleet Public Affairs

MAYPORT, Fla. (NNS) -- USS McInerney (FFG 8) Sailors received recognition and accolades Nov. 5 for their contributions to the ship's successful counter-illicit trafficking deployment to Latin America.

Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command (NAVSO)/ U.S. 4th Fleet, Rear Adm. Joseph D. Kernan, came aboard in the morning to present McInerney Sailors with end-of-deployment awards and thank them for their efforts during the deployment.

The award presentation highlighted McInerney's involvement with the interdiction of a self-propelled semi-submersible (SPSS) vessel carrying seven tons of cocaine Sept. 13.

"A SPSS is very difficult to detect and track due to its low profile in the water; the deck of the vessel is nearly awash while transiting, giving it a very difficult detection signature," said Kernan. "The combined team of Patrol Squadron (VP) 26, McInerney and the U.S. Coast Guard did a great job of discovering, tracking and apprehending the vessel and its cargo."

"The success was in large part due to our assets remaining undetected in their approach to the SPSS," added Kernan. "It is important that we capture the tactical lessons from this mission and continue to refine the procedures that afford success in apprehensions of this nature. They will no doubt adapt their procedures, and we must remain flexible as well, to continue to effectively illicit counter drug trafficking."

McInerney's crew was in the fifth month of their six-month deployment the night of the SPSS bust.

"This was not the first time that we had planned for, or practiced and rehearsed this mission," said McInerney Commanding Officer Cmdr. Keith Wheeler. "When the time came to do it, everybody was ready. There is a dedication in a U.S. Navy Sailor that is always there, and it really made the difference that night to be successful."

The second flag visit of the day took place when Rear Adm. Samuel Perez, deputy Director, Joint Inter Agency Task Force South (JIATF-S) and other senior JIATF-S staff members visited McInerney for lunch aboard the ship.

"It was great to host Admiral Perez as well," said Wheeler. "We don't always have the opportunity to host so many distinguished guests, especially all in one day. The Sailors on McInerney really enjoyed being eye-to-eye with the folks they worked so hard for during the deployment."

During the deployment, McInerney conducted counter-illicit trafficking operations for JIATF-S, under the operational control of NAVSO/4th Fleet.

After a brief tour of the ship and lunch with McInerney's wardroom members, Perez met with Kernan at NAVSO/4th Fleet Headquarters in Mayport.

JIATF-S and NAVSO/4th Fleet are component commands of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM). JIATF-S oversees counter-illicit trafficking operations, while NAVSO oversees maritime operations throughout Latin America, including exercises and deployments, counter illicit trafficking support, and theater security cooperation events.

U.S. 4th Fleet is the numbered fleet assigned to NAVSO exercising operational control of U.S. Navy units temporarily operating in the SOUTHCOM area of focus, which encompasses the Caribbean, Central and South America and surrounding waters.

For more information on NAVSO/4th Fleet, visit http://www.cusns.navy.mil/.