USS Samuel B. Roberts Returns to Mayport
Navy NewsStand
Story Number: NNS090406-15
Release Date: 4/6/2009 10:24:00 PM
From USS Samuel B. Roberts Public Affairs
MAYPORT, Fla. (NNS) -- Family and friends of Sailors aboard USS Samuel B. Roberts (FFG 58) gathered on the pier to welcome the crew home April 6 from its 2008-2009 counter-narcotic terrorism deployment.
Roberts' most recent deployment took Sailors from Florida to the Eastern Pacific and back. Operating under the tactical control of Joint Inter-Agency Task Force-South, the crew supported the Department of Defense and U.S. Southern Command's role in the fight against drugs. Their assistance came in the form of support in intelligence, detection and monitoring, training, planning and communications support.
To aid with the counter-illicit trafficking mission, the "Smooth Operators" of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light 60 Detachment 2 from Mayport embarked "Sammy B." Also embarked were three separate U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachments (LEDET) from Miami, Fla., LEDETs 402, 403, and 408.
The first half of the deployment began with a transit from Mayport to Panama, through the Panama Canal, earning the crew the "Order of the Ditch" citation. Once through the canal, the ship immediately began patrolling the Eastern Pacific with great success.
By way of keen lookouts, interagency cooperation, high-speed pursuits and the partnering of capable pilots and Sailors, the ship's crew made five separate drug busts, capturing more than 7.9 metric tons of cocaine, with a street value of approximately $557 million.
In the process of patrolling, the crew received word of a vessel in distress, and thanks to some quick reaction time, was able to safely recover four Mexican fishermen whose vessel had swamped. The fishermen were later delivered to United States Coast Guard authorities for further transport back to Mexico.
During the first two and a half months of deployment in the Pacific, Oct. 5-Dec. 12, the crew was able to enjoy some well-deserved time off in the port of Vasco Nunez de Balboa, Panama City on multiple occasions. The visits provided new forms of relaxation, sightseeing and wonderful food. In November, one such port visit was abruptly cut short as the crew was ordered underway in support of the humanitarian efforts in Panama after severe flooding. The "Smooth Operators" flew multiple surveillance missions to help determine the extent of the damage.
On Nov. 21, several Sailors became honorable shellbacks as they crossed the equator, in an arduous and time-honored ceremony. This was a proud moment for every crew member.
As the first half of deployment came to a close, Samuel B. Roberts welcomed Cmdr. Chuck L. Sellers who relieved Cmdr. Wally Lovely, as commanding officer. Sellers, whose most recent assignment was as a student at the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, quickly embraced the ship's legacy of "No Higher Honor."
In December, the ship returned to Mayport for a planned maintenance period, which allowed the ship to be outfitted with the necessary tools to ensure a successful second half of her deployment. During this maintenance period, crew members were able to spend a part of the holiday season at home with their loved ones. On Dec. 27, the ship once again began the trek south to interdict drug runners, remaining in the Western Caribbean to conduct her operations.
Throughout the second half of deployment, the crew enjoyed port visits in Colon, Panama, Cozumel, Mexico, and Cartagena, Colombia. While in Cartagena, the crew hosted the Director of the Columbia Naval Academy, Adm. Ordonez on board for a tour with 12 Colombian ensigns.
Throughout the second half, Sammy B worked closely with the Colombian Navy on several occasions and helped to strengthen U.S. relations with Colombia. Each nation was able to assist the other in the detainment of narcotics, as well as support multiple search and rescue operations. Samuel B. Roberts' visit, board search and seizure (VBSS) team directly assisted the LEDET in boarding two vessels,
Additionally, the crew hosted U.S. Army aviators from Joint Task Force-Bravo to support the unit in their deck landing qualifications and giving the flight deck crew the opportunity to hone their skills by diversifying their flight deck evolutions.
Samuel B. Roberts later pulled into Roatan, Honduras, for some well-deserved liberty. Sailors spent two days engaged in a community relations project with Elfreda Brooks Primary PROHECO School in Coxen Hole, Roatan, a community-based public bilingual school for 278 children in first through sixth grades.
In addition to community service, the crew hosted 12 Sailors from the Honduran Navy aboard for two days of VBSS demonstrations and damage control techniques. The visit culminated in a friendly soccer game and ceremony, at which time the crew donated many Project Handclasp items to local schools and clinics.
The port visit also included a visit and tour of the ship by the U.S. ambassador to Honduras, several officials, members of the Honduran Navy, the mayor of Roatan and members of the U.S. military in Honduras.
Friends and family members of the crew joined the ship April 4 in Port Everglades, Fla., for a two-day "tiger cruise" The cruise offered the 42 guests a glimpse of life aboard the ship.
Six months and one day after departing Naval Station Mayport, the Sailors and guests of Samuel B. Roberts manned the rails for an emotional and much-anticipated homecoming ceremony.
For more news from Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command, visit www.navy.mil/local/cusns/.
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
