JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Valiant returned home May 27 to Naval Station Mayport following a nine-week counter-drug patrol in the eastern Pacific, the Coast Guard 7th District said in a release.
The Valiant crew patrolled more than 14,000 nautical miles in the eastern Pacific in support of Joint Interagency Task Force South (JIATF-S).
While on patrol, the crew interdicted two go-fast smuggling vessels, seized 2,718 pounds of cocaine worth over $41 million and apprehended three suspected drug smugglers. The crew ensured the safe and efficient transfer of all suspected smugglers, evidence and narcotics to the United States for future prosecution.
“The noteworthy results of Valiant’s patrol underscore what a well-trained crew can accomplish with a still highly-capable 51-year-old Coast Guard cutter,” said Cmdr. Matthew Waldron, Valiant’s commanding officer.
While on a port of call in Chiapas, Mexico, a contingent of the Valiant crew dedicated a day to a local surf mission, cleaning beaches and playing soccer and volleyball with local children. Its navigation through the Panama Canal earned the crew the “Order of the Ditch” nautical certificate.
The Valiant is a multimission 210-foot medium-endurance cutter. Missions include search and rescue, maritime law enforcement, marine environmental protection, homeland security and national defense operations.
