For Immediate Release
DHS Press Office
Contact: 202-282-8010
I congratulate the skipper, officers and crew of U.S. Coast Guard Cutter STRATTON, which is just returning to Alameda, Calif. from a four-month patrol of the Eastern Pacific.
By every measure, this four-month voyage off the west coast of North and Central America was a huge success. While at sea, the STRATTON seized more than 66,500 pounds of cocaine worth more than $1 billion. This included seizures of cocaine from two drug-running submarines – one of which amounted to 12,000 pounds of cocaine worth about $181 million.
Every day, the U.S. Coast Guard performs missions vital to our homeland security, maritime security and public safety. I am especially proud of the STRATTON and crew, which I came to know when I visited Alameda just before her departure in April. Ever since, among my many responsibilities, I took special interest in receiving daily reports from the STRATTON and tracked her progress.
The STRATTON’s successful, record-breaking mission reflects the hard work, excellence and dedication put forth by the men and women of the U.S. Coast Guard every day. The mission also reflects an impressive level of cooperation between the U.S. Coast Guard, law enforcement and intelligence agencies in the U.S., Canada and other partner nations.
Last week, the U.S. Coast Guard celebrated its 225th anniversary. I said then that the U.S. Coast Guard can look forward to a future 225 years even brighter than the last 225. The STRATTON is one of the U.S. Coast Guard’s fleet of new National Security Cutters. She was christened by First Lady Michelle Obama in March 2012 and named in honor of Dorothy Constance Stratton, the first female commissioned officer in U.S. Coast Guard history. As such, the STRATTON is part of the current recapitalization of the U.S. Coast Guard fleet, and reflects that bright future.
To the skipper, officers and crew of the STRATTON, welcome home.
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