Welcome Aboard The CGC Northland
On Extended Deployment - Week 7
We join the crew of the Cutter Northland underway on a three month deployment in support of the Navy's Sixth Fleet.
ENS Matt Alex will be keeping us updated during this deployment with weekly updates. Thanks, Matt.
All photos are official Coast Guard photos.
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The Coast Guard Cutter Northland, homeported in Portsmouth, Va.
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Catchin' Up
During Week 7 NORTHLAND continued a slow transit all the way to Souda Bay, Crete. We had time for another swim call and a chance to catch up on some training and administrative work before we jump into the multi-national exercise in the Black Sea. Souda Bay is the home of a Hellenic Naval Base on the northeastern side of Crete that includes a small U.S. Naval Support Annex located nearby. We also celebrated the halfway point of our deployment on 29 June after having been away from home for 45 days.
Crete afforded the crew the opportunity for some great tours. Some were able to visit a small local winery which also allowed them to take in all the sights in the nearest town, Chania. It was a scenic tour which included viewing the ruins of an old castle, shopping and eating in a couple of the local towns and ended, of course, with some wine tasting. Other crewmembers visited a local beach which included a stop at a cave which holds religious significance for the locals. The beach itself is famous for its pink sand and the perfect weather led to a few sunburns and a very tired, but happy group.
The older parts of Chania provided a new experience for many. Its narrow streets and cobblestone alleys were full of small shops and quaint outdoor cafes. The people were extremely friendly and there was something for everyone to enjoy. This port call turned out to be a great opportunity for fun and relaxation for the crew. It was a good break before next week’s transit through the Turkish Straits to the Black Sea and Varna, Bulgaria for Exercise Breeze.
Photos
HS1 Marin and ET2 Whatley relax at an outdoor café in Chania, Crete.
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NORTHLAND crew sleeps on the bus after an exhausting day at the beach.
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GM2 Delahoussaye and SN McGhee stand by MT 54 as we arrive in Souda Bay.
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GM3 Bushman and FN Albright stand by MT 53 as we arrive in Souda Bay.
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SN Popp, Roach, Lheureux, and Bush wait to put over the lines.
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Navy Security Boat escorts NORTHLAND inbound Souda Bay.
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NORTHLAND crew man the rail just before putting the lines over.
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The crew scouts the ground they will be tackling as soon as liberty is piped.
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Fantail personnel get ready to put the brow over.
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ENS Hitzel, Potter, and Fawcett (recent graduates from the CG Academy) converse with ENS Tillman.
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NORTHLAND crew (ET1 Stephens, MK2 Luck and others) walk back to the bus after an evening in Chania, Crete.
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IT3 Cantatore, OS2 Osenbach, and MK2 Fleming inspect a barrel of wine during the winery tour.
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NORTHLAND crew cram into a small wine cellar.
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Sitting down for wine tasting at the end of the winery tour.
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LTJG Sanzo and Motoi and ENS Ferreira and Kapusta at a going away party for some of the Wardroom.
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BM1 Seyler-Schmidt and ENS Tillman play a little chess while in Crete.
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