Cutter Valiant Crew Returns Home Following 9-Week Counter-Drug Patrol

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.