Welcome Aboard The CGC Northland
On Extended Deployment - Week 9
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 9 began for the NORTHLAND with saying goodbye to Varna, Bulgaria. It was a great port call, but it was time to start moving west again! The next leg of our journey brought us back through the Turkish Straits. The all day transit was again, quite the sight to see, and many crewmembers ventured outside the skin of the ship to watch the beautiful scenery as we passed. Now that we have made it through the Turkish Straits, every mile we transit is another one closer to home!
As soon as we cleared the Turkish Straits, we launched into training with the small Turkish Coast Guard patrol boat that escorted us through the straits. The Turkish small boat made high speed runs at NORTHLAND to simulate a fast boat attack. The next morning, our training exercise continued with a Search and Rescue exercise conducted with two larger Turkish Coast Guard vessels and one of their helicopters. The helicopter “rescued” one of the floating “Oscars” and NORTHLAND retrieved the other two. Before the Search and Rescue exercise began we were able to conduct a personnel exchange. For the duration of the exercise, NORTHLAND had one Turkish Officer onboard and their patrol boat had two of ours. It was a great opportunity to see each other’s ships and learn more about our foreign counterparts.
After all the excitement of the past few days, we made a brief stop in Souda Bay, Crete again to make some repairs and pick up some supplies. Most of the crew was able to get out, enjoy some liberty, call home, and stock up on personal supplies at the small Navy Exchange.
In Souda Bay, we also welcomed aboard our new prospective Commanding Officer (CO), CDR Austin. CDR Austin’s last duty station was at the Eighth District in New Orleans and this is his fourth tour on a 270’. NORTHLAND ended the week by departing Souda Bay. The next few days will be filled with meetings and briefs as the new CO conducts his relief and NORTHLAND participates in an underway exercise with the Malta Coast Guard.
Photos
FN Neely and MK2 Jennings enjoying the beach in Souda Bay.
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One of the Turkish Coast Guard vessels that escorted us through the Turkish Straits.
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1/c Cadet Winland scans the horizon.
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Turkish Coast Guard escort vessel.
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FS3 Baker secures the Sound Commander loud hailer speaker during our transit of the Turkish Straits.
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A beautiful sunset near Souda Bay, Crete.
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SA Popp and FS3 Baker on the O-3 deck during the Turkish Straits transit.
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The Turkish Coast Guard helicopter recovers “Oscar” during the SAR exercise.
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A close up of the Turkish Coast Guard helicopter.
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A Greek naval vessel which approached us during our transit to Souda Bay.
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The pilot embarking NORTHLAND as we enter the Turkish Straits.
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The Anchor Detail takes advantage of the long transit through the Turkish Straits by studying some course material.
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CAPT Giglio discusses the exercise with our Turkish Coast Guard ship rider.
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NORTHLAND’s small boat returns with our personnel from the Turkish Coast Guard vessel.
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