Fred's Place - The Place To Meet Old Coast Guard Shipmates

Welcome Aboard The CGC Bear

Week Four

by Brendan McPherson and Andrew Shinn

Week Four: This week BEAR made history returning to Algers, Algeria in support of it's ongoing Theater Security Cooperation (TSC) mission with the Navy's Sixth Fleet. The visit was considered to be a success and paved the way for future engagement opportunities between the U.S. Coast Guard and Algerian naval services. Later in the week, BEAR made its first visit to Tunisia since 1999, where similar engagement activities were conducted. Visits to the ancient Roman ruins of Carthage and the U.S. Military Cemetary in Tunis were highlights of the visit. As an added treat, about two dozen crew also cheered on Tunisia's national soccer team as they defeated Guinea (2-0) in a World Cup qualifying match. BEAR continues with her historic deployment next week as she continues to sail the Mediterranean Sea.

All photos are credited: U.S. Coast Guard photograph by Petty Officer Second Class Andrew Shinn.

The Coast Guard Cutter Bear, homeported in Portsmouth, Va.

Fireman Michael Lagasca, Petty Officer 1st Class (BM) Juan Zurita and Seaman Sean Dwyer, left to right, take out the Cutter Bear's smallboat, nicknamed Cub 2, during a swim call for the crew in the Mediterranean.

Lt. j.g. Mathew Austin, First Lieutenant aboard the Cutter Bear, points out a contact to Ensign Scott Mitchell as the Cutter Bear is escorted into Algiers, Algeria by an Algerian navy vessel.

Seaman William Knight mans a lookout post during special sea detail as the Cutter Bear pulls into Algiers, Algeria.

Lt. j.g. Mathew Austin watches as an honor guard from the Algerian navy render honors from a lighthouse while the Cutter Bear arrives in Algiers, Algeria.

Cmdr. Robert Wagner, commanding officer of the Cutter Bear, watches as a detachment of the Algerian welcomes the Cutter Bear to Algeirs, Algeria. The Bear's visit marks the first time a U.S. Coast Guard cutter has moored in Algeria.

U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer 2nd Class (OS) Ian McGoohan, center, gives a tour of the U.S. Cutter Bear to officers of the Algerian coast guard in Algeirs, Algeria.

Cmdr. Robert Wagner, commanding officer of the Cutter Bear, addresses the Algerian media in Algiers, Algeria. The cutter Bear conducted visits and interoperability training from to in Algeirs.

The food service staff of the Cutter Bear prepared quite a reception for members of the international diplomatic community in Algiers, Algeria.

Military hats from many nations were collected on table during a formal reception held by the Cutter Bear in Algiers, Algeria.

Crewmembers of the Cutter Bear visited ancient Roman ruins while in Algeria.

Cmdr. Robert Wagner, commanding officer of the U.S. Cutter Bear, talks with an Algerian Coast Guard officer during a reception held for officials of the cutter Bear in Algiers, Algeria. U.S.

U.S. Coast Guard Lt. j.g. Christina Medrano, center, and CWO Henry Langford, right, talk with an Algerian Coast Guard officer during a reception held for officials of the U.S. Cutter Bear in Algiers, Algeria. U.S.

U.S. Coast Guard Chief Isidro Cartagena looks out over the port of Algeirs, Algeria during a reception held for officials from the U.S. and Algerian Coast Guards. U.S.

Cmdr. Robert Wagner, left, commanding officer of the U.S. Cutter Bear, receives a welcoming gift from the commandant of the Algerian Coast Guard during a reception for officers from the two services.

Officials from the U.S. Cutter Bear were invited to a reception with officials from the Algerian coast guard in Algeirs, Algeria. Though the two services have a long history of cooperation, the Bear's arrival marks the first U.S. Coast Guard cutter visit to Algeria.

Petty Officer 3rd Class (BM) Erik Nelson prepares to send signals to an Algerian Navy vessel during joint exercises in the Mediterranean.

Petty Officer 3rd Class (BM) Erik Nelson, left, and Petty Officer 3rd Class (BM) Holland watch from the third deck of the Cutter Bear for a signal from an Alergian Navy ship during joint exercises in the Mediterranean.

Operation dress uniforms belonging to crewmembers of the Cutter Bear dry on the flight deck after being treated with an insect repellent. The insect repellent is designed to minimize bites from disease-bearing insects as the cutter travels to the Gulf of Guinea area in western Africa.

Lt. j.g. Mathew Austin, first lieutenant of the Cutter Bear, supervises the deck force as the cutter pulls into La Goulette, Tunisia.

Chief Isidro Cartagena watches as the Cutter Bear pulls into La Goulette, Tunisia.

Fireman Brian Griffiths, Fireman Casey Brown, and Petty Officer 3rd Class (MK) Peter Oren, right to left, prepare to render honors at the Cutter Bear pulls into La Goulette, Tunisia.

Petty Officer 3rd Class (BM) Alexander Fernandez directs the deck force of the Cutter Bear as the cutter pulls into La Goulette, Tunisia. The Bear is conducting theater security cooperation (TSC) engagements under the auspices of the Navy's Sixth Fleet.

Seaman Maykal Manresa, left, and Seaman Sean Ogg heave a mooring line as the Cutter Bear moors in in La Goulette, Tunisia.

3rd Class Cadet Edward Michno, left, and Petty Officer 3rd Class (BM) Alexander Fernandez heave a mooring lins as the Cutter Bear moors in La Goulette, Tunisia.

Petty Officer 3rd Class (BM) Alexander Fernandez heaves a mooring line as the Cutter Bear pulls into La Goulette, Tunisia. The cutter Bear is engaging Tunisia during a theater security cooperation (TSC) mission to North Africa.

Lt. j.g. Mathew Austin, first lieutenant aboard the Cutter Bear, supervises the deck force while the cutter pulls into La Goulette, Tunisia. The cutter Bear is engaging the Tunisian military in a Theater Security Cooperation (TSC) mission in North Africa.

Fireman Kwame Fitzpatrick, front, and Petty Officer 2nd Class (YN) Victor Almodovar carry the Cutter Bear's welcome mat to the pier in La Goulette, Tunisia. The Cutter Bear is engaging is Theater Security Cooperation mission in North Africa under the auspices of the Navy's Sixth Fleet.

Petty Officer 1st Class (FS) Michael Kelley prepares an entree for a reception onboard the Cutter Bear in Tunisia.

Petty Officer 2nd Class (FS) Chris Walker prepared a table in the wardroom of the Cutter Bear for a reception in Tunisia.

Petty Officer 3rd Class (FS) Samual Love, Seaman Sean Ogg and Seaman Randle Mazucca prepare the entree for a reception aboard the Cutter Bear in Tunisia.

Petty Officer 2nd Class (DC) Chris Williams pays tribute to American Servicemembers lost in World War II in Tunisia.

Crewmembers of the Cutter Bear paid their respect to American Servicemembers killed and buried in Tunisia in World War II.

Petty Officer 2nd Class (MK) Matthew Goodwin picks up a pile of rags during throttle watch in the engine room of the Cutter Bear Jun 10. The cutter was en route to Tunisia for a Theater Security Cooperation engagement under the auspices of the Navy's Sixth Fleet.

Coast Guardsmen from the Cutter Bear paid their respects to Charles Hildreth, a Coast Guardsmen killed and buried in Tunisia during World War II.

The Cutter Bear moored in Algiera, Algeria on a partnership-building visit with the Algerian coast guard and navy.

Lt. James Silcox, operations officer of the Cutter Bear, waves to an Algerian Naval helicopter during joint exercises in the Mediterranean.