Coast Guard Cutter Munro Returns to Alaska after Winter Deployment

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  • A Coast Guard Cutter Munro boarding team is sent to conduct a vessel safety inspection in the Bering Sea, Feb. 15, 2016. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)
    A Coast Guard Cutter Munro boarding team is sent to conduct a vessel safety inspection in the Bering Sea, Feb. 15, 2016. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)
  • An MH-65 Dolphin helicopter flies near the Coast Guard Cutter Munro in the Bering Sea, Feb. 18, 2016. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)
    An MH-65 Dolphin helicopter flies near the Coast Guard Cutter Munro in the Bering Sea, Feb. 18, 2016. (U.S. Coast Guard photo)

KODIAK, Alaska — The Coast Guard Cutter Munro crew returned to Kodiak, Alaska, after a 103 day deployment.

The Munro crew left Kodiak on Jan. 5, 2016, and spent 31 days in San Diego, California, for a bi-annual operational assessment, returning to Kodiak briefly on Feb. 5, 2016. The crew of Munro was assessed for and received excellence ratings for their competencies in navigation, seamanship, engineering, electronics, damage control, warfare, gunnery, medical, and communications exercises.

The Munro crew returned to sea Feb. 11, 2016 for a winter Bering Sea Patrol. During the next 66 days the crew ensured the safety of life at sea, visited St. Paul Island and Port Hieden, conducted numerous community service events in Dutch Harbor, traveled north to verify the location of the ice edge, maintained command and control of an attached MH-65 helicopter on various flight sorties, and bolstered their law enforcement pursuit boat program. The crew earned numerous qualifications while on patrol, which contributes to the operational readiness to respond and assist with any distress in the Bering Sea.

"We have a diverse mission set and the 378-foot high endurance cutter is a perfect fit for the Bering Sea," said Capt. Sam Jordan, Munro commanding officer "We work long days to stay proficient in our craft so that we will be ready to respond when we are needed.  We are the Bering Sea Cutter, and we are proud to be able to serve in the Alaskan waters."

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