The Source for Navy News
USS John L. Hall Returns From Deployment
Story Number: NNS030319-08
Release Date: 3/19/2003 11:00:00 AM
By Commander U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command Public Affairs
PASCAGOULA, Miss. (NNS) -- USS John L. Hall (FFG 32) arrived home March 17 from a deployment in the U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command area of responsibility, where the ship and its crew engaged in counter drug activities.
As part of the Joint Inter-Agency Task Force, East team, John L. Hall participated in the interdiction of drug traffickers in the eastern Pacific, along with deployed U.S. Navy ships from Naval Surface Group 2 and U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) units.
John L. Hall left its homeport of Pascagoula, Miss., Oct. 10. John L. Hall, also known as the “Vikings of Assault,” and its Captain, Cmdr. Thomas A. Flisk Jr., brought the war on drugs into the backyards of the drug cartels themselves. On patrol almost 80 percent of the deployment, the officers and crew of Hall covered more than 1,425,000 square miles of the Pacific Ocean in pursuit of cigarette-type racing boats (known as “go-fasts”) and monitored the small fishing vessels that operate as their logistical support vessels.
Long periods at sea were punctuated by high-speed chases across hundreds of miles of open water as “go-fasts” sped away, trying to out-run the ship. Throughout the deployment, the team of John L. Hall, Helicopter Anti-Submarine Light Squardron (HSL) 48 of Detachment 2, and the embarked USCG law enforcement detachment (LEDET) would stop, board and seize boats engaged in illegal narcotic smuggling activity.
John L. Hall directly seized or assisted in the seizure of more than 16,000 pounds of illegal drugs. Additionally, five “go-fast” speedboats were put out of commission, either from being sunk by the smugglers themselves or by being confiscated by law enforcement officials aboard Hall.
“Counter Drug Operations is a team sport,” said Flisk. “We couldn’t do the job without our superb helicopter detachment and law enforcement detachment working as an integrated team with the ship.”
The crew of Hall recognized the importance of their mission in the Southern Command area of responsibility.
“Overall, I believe it was a successful cruise, and I think we managed to accomplish something worthwhile out here,” said Lt.j.g. Phillip Howard, from San Diego. “Until this cruise, I hadn’t really thought about how heavily the drug lords depended on the ocean for transporting drugs north, and it was good to see how strong of an impact we made.”
The cruise was more than just aggressive takedowns of lawbreakers and drug runners, however. It provided an opportunity for Sailors and officers to hone skills and work toward advancement. Thirty-two John L. Hall sailors earned their Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist qualification. Even some of the crew’s off-duty time was spent working and giving back to the South American communities.
In Manta, Ecuador, volunteers spent a day repairing and repainting a local elementary school.
“It was inspiring, being such a help to people who really needed it,” said Hosptial Corpsman 1st Class (SW) Alfonzo Jacobs of Wildwood, Fla. “Some of these people never have anyone to look out for them, and sometimes, all it takes is being in the right place at the right time, and being prepared to help out in any way you can.”
Hall Sailors also brought their selfless spirit to assist one of nature’s creatures. While transiting near the Galapagos Islands, the specialized training of the Search and Rescue swimmers was called into action, when the ship rendered assistance to a sea turtle that had been caught in drifting fishing gear.
Port visits during the cruise provided a welcome break from the long periods at sea. Visits to Panama, Costa Rica, Ecuador and Colombia gave the crew the opportunity to sample some local cuisine, do some shopping, and explore the scenic countryside of Central and South America.
As the ship prepared to return home after a successful deployment, the thoughts of the crew turn ever more to their families and friends at home. Though the ship had undertaken the deployment with distinction and pride, overcoming many obstacles in the pursuit of justice and in winning the war on drugs, there is no foreign port of call, no amount of confiscated contraband, that can compare with the elation of returning to your home port after a job well done.
For related news, visit the Commander U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/cusns.
E-mail this story to a friend | Send a comment about this story
Frigate Sailors Save Entangled Sea Turtle - 12/12/2002
|
All Any Exact |
|
