A Coast Guard member, assigned to Coast Guard Cutter Waesche, embraces his daughter after returning home from a 106-day deployment, at Coast Guard Island in Alameda, California, Nov. 22, 2015. During the deployment, Waesche's crew completed two weeks of weapons system testing and certification, patrolled the Arctic in support of Operation Arctic Shield, and enforced federal fisheries laws and safety regulations in the Gulf of Alaska and Bering Sea. (Courtesy photo by Meaghan Hurley)
ALAMEDA, Calif. – The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Waesche returned to its homeport just in time for the holidays at Coast Guard Island in Alameda, Sunday, after a 106-day deployment.
Waesche departed Alameda in August on its 18,000-mile deployment ranging from the coast of Southern California to the Arctic Ocean, and the Bering Sea. During this deployment, Waesche’s crew completed two weeks of weapons system testing and certification, patrolled the Arctic in support of Operation Arctic Shield, and enforced federal fisheries laws and safety regulations in the Gulf of Alaska and Bering Sea.
Law enforcement personnel aboard the cutter conducted numerous at-sea boardings of fishing vessels to ensure compliance with federal fisheries regulations and conduct spot checks of required safety equipment. The cutter patrolled in the Arctic, furthering national strategic goals by enhancing maritime domain awareness and improving preparedness, prevention, and response capabilities in the region. While in the Bering Sea, Waesche assisted in a search-and-rescue case that resulted in the successful medical evacuation of an ailing fisherman.
Waesche crewmembers worked closely with the communities of Dutch Harbor and Barrow, Alaska while in the area. The crew hosted community leaders from Barrow aboard the cutter to discuss the rapidly evolving economic landscape in the Arctic and volunteered during their time ashore to complete several community service projects in the community of Dutch Harbor.
Waesche is 418 feet long with a top speed of 28 knots, a range of 12,000 nautical miles and a permanent crew of approximately 120. Waesche is equipped with a flight deck and hangars capable of housing two multi-mission helicopters, and outfitted with three cutter boats capable of operating over the horizon.
For additional information please visit Waesche’s homepage at https://www.uscg.mil/pacarea/CGCWaesche/default.asp.
Petty Officer 2nd Class Samuel Kelton, a boatswain's mate assigned to the Coast Guard Cutter Waesche, embraces his daughter and wife after returning home from a 106-day deployment, at Coast Guard Island in Alameda, California, Nov. 22, 2015. Waesche departed Alameda in August on its 18,000-mile deployment ranging from the coast of Southern California to the Arctic Ocean, and the Bering Sea. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Prentice Danner)
Chief Petty Officer Clay Clark, a storekeeper assigned to the Coast Guard Cutter Waesche, embraces his daughter after returning home from a 106-day deployment, at Coast Guard Island in Alameda, California, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2015. During the deployment, Waeshce's crew completed two weeks of weapons system testing and certification, patrolled the Arctic in support of Operation Arctic Shield and enforced federal fisheries laws and safety regulations in the Gulf of Alaska and Bering Sea. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Prentice Danner)
A Coast Guard member assigned to the Coast Guard Cutter Waesche, embraces his kids after returning home from a 106-day deployment aboard the Waesche, at Coast Guard Island in Alameda, California, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2015. Law enforcement personnel aboard the cutter conducted numerous at-sea boardings of fishing vessels to ensure compliance with federal fisheries regulations and conduct spot checks of required safety equipment. (Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Loumania Stewart)
Line handlers on the pier at Coast Guard Island prepare to moor the Alameda, California-based Coast Guard Cutter Waesche after the crew completed a 106-day deployment, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2015. Waesche's crew routinely conducts counter-narcotics, homeland security, alien migrant interdiction operations, domestic fisheries protection, search and rescue and other Coast Guard missions from South America to the Bering Sea. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Loumania Stewart