Coast Guard
Coast Guard Cutter Campbell returns home after 73 days at sea on security mission
Stars and Stripes
September 1, 2024
Coast Guard Cutter Campbell (WMEC 909) crew members conduct bow-hoisting operations with a Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater MH-65 Dolphin helicopter air crew, July 10, 2024, while underway in the Windward Passage. (Eric Desirey/U.S. Coast Guard)
The Coast Guard Cutter Campbell returned to homeport in Newport, R.I., last week after 73 days at sea on patrol in the Windward Passage.
Campbell deployed in support of Homeland Security Task Force-Southeast and Operation Vigilant Sentry. During patrol, Campbell’s crew conducted maritime safety and security missions while working to detect, deter and intercept unsafe and illegal maritime migration ventures bound for the United States.
“I am continuously impressed by the professionalism and work ethic demonstrated by the many other U.S. Coast Guard crews on cutters and aircraft that are constantly operating in the Windward Passage,” Cmdr. Jonathan Harris, commanding officer of Campbell, said Wednesday in a service news release. “Teamwork is one of our greatest strengths on Campbell, and that was a key factor in preventing unsafe migrant ventures on board overcrowded vessels in these waters.”
Campbell’s crew cared for and repatriated 11 Haitian migrants, and with other Coast Guard assets in the Windward Passage supported the interdiction and deterrence of 643 migrants.
Campbell is a 270-foot, Famous-class medium endurance cutter. The cutter’s primary missions are counter-narcotics operations, migrant interdiction, living marine resources protection, and search and rescue in support of U.S. Coast Guard operations throughout the Western Hemisphere.
A Coast Guard Cutter Campbell (WMEC 909) small boat crew conducts at-sea training Aug. 13, 2024, while underway in the Windward Passage. (Robert Zergman/U.S. Coast Gurd)