Welcome Aboard The CGC Northland
On Extended Deployment - Week 8
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
Week 8 for NORTHLAND was a busy one! We left Souda Bay, Crete and headed for the Turkish Straits which brought us to the Black Sea. This first part of our transit through the Turkish Straits brought breathtaking views of Istanbul as well as other parts of Turkey. Many members of the crew came out to observe and take pictures of this passage, where there was the opportunity to view a lot of unique architecture including the homes, mosques and ruins.
After our transit through the Turkish Straits, NORTHLAND’s next stop was Varna, Bulgaria. Our ship pulled in to Varna just in time to celebrate the 4th of July in port. The ship looked quite festive, fully decked out in full dress and appropriately decorated for the day. That evening, we hosted a reception onboard to for many foreign dignitaries and military members. This celebration, to celebrate our Independence Day as well as kick of the beginning of “Exercise Breeze” was a huge success due to the hard work of all the crew. The evening was enjoyable and gave everyone the opportunity to mingle with and learn from our foreign counterparts.
The next morning, after our reception, we officially began the 3-day “Exercise Breeze,” which was a multi-national military training exercise hosted by the Bulgarian Navy. The exercise included many foreign Navies and Coast Guards, but our ship mostly worked with the Bulgarian, Greek and Turkish Navies. During this 3-day exercise, NORTHLAND participated in numerous exercises including a search and rescue drill, a gun shoot, visual communication drills and an underway replenishment. We steamed for most of the exercise in formation with the other military vessels. It was 3 long days, especially for the Operations Department, but everyone was able to learn a lot from these drills as well as have the opportunity to interact with our foreign counterparts.
Immediately following Exercise Breeze, NORTHLAND pulled into Varna, Bulgaria again for a much needed 4-day port call. The crew was able to enjoy the beautiful beaches, a diverse shopping area as well as some good nightlife. Everyone was able to enjoy a few days off and catch up on some rest and relaxation. Varna, Bulgaria turned out to be a great port call for all, and a nice break before our transit back through the Turkish Straits.
Photos
The breathtaking view of some ancient fortifications as NORTHLAND transits through the Turkish Straits.
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The Cathedral in Varna.
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CAPT Giglio addresses our guests during the reception.
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The crew getting ready for our 4th of July reception.
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SN Iulo and LTJG Weist on the 4th of July.
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FN Neely standing watch in the engine room.
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MK2 Fleming and EMC Harvey having some fun in the engine room.
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Several members of the crew with Ambassador Beyrle at the 4th of July reception,
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CAPT Giglio greets the Mayor of Varna, Bulgaria.
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Members of NORTHLAND’s crew prepare to honor our guests for the 4th of July reception.
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SN Bush, ET2 Fowler, and ET1 Deocampo at the 4th of July Reception onboard NORTHLAND.
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BM1 Seyler-Schmidt and ENS Seniuk as we pass close to a cruise ship near Istanbul, Turkey.
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(Back to front) SNFS Virag, FS3 Wright, FS3 Baker, FS1 White, FS3 Davis, FSC Birch, and FS3 Smith enjoy a dinner in Bulgaria.
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MK2 Luck and HS1 Marin enjoying the sights in Varna.
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The view astern from the NORTHLAND while in formation.
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LTJG Blood, CWO Roberts and SN Musica man the rail.
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NORTHLAND’s crew manning the rail.
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The bridge team and our two Danish Midshipmen hard at work during Exercise Breeze.
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While NORTHLAND conducts underway replenishment approach with the Bulgarian Naval vessel BODRI. ENS Alex determines the distance to the ship.
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The crew mans the rail while passing the distinguished visitors in formation.
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The view ahead from the NORTHLAND while in formation.
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The list of foreign vessels participating in Exercise Breeze as NORTHLAND steams in formation.
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