Date: July 19, 2007

Contact: Lt. Cmdr. C. T. O'Neil
(305) 415-7153

Coast Guard Cutter Valiant Returns from 56-Day Patrol

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. - Crewmembers aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Valiant are scheduled to return to their homeport here Friday following the completion of a patrol that began May 26, and included operations in the Mona and Windward Passages.

Valiant, commanded by Cmdr. David S. Fiedler, underwent 17 days of Tailored Annual Cutter Training at U.S. Naval Base Mayport, Fla., earning the Battle "E" Award for operational excellence with a 97 percent average score for drills and exercises in damage control, engineering, navigation, seamanship, communications and medical.

Valiant departed Mayport for the Windward Passage where the crew performed alien migrant interdiction operations and counter-narcotics operations.  Valiant also conducted search and rescue operations, coordinating assistance to the motor vessel Prime Time, which was taking on water about 40 nautical miles south of Great Inagua, Bahamas, June 29.  Valiant orchestrated the efforts of the Coast Guard Cutter Campbell, Air Station Miami, and an Air Station Clearwater HH-60 Jayhawk helicopter to help ensure the safety of the Prime Time and its crew. 

During the Windward Passage patrol Valiant conducted a professional exchange with members of the Royal Bahamian Defense Force to enhance interoperability between the services.

After a mid-patrol break in U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, Valiant made way for the Mona Passage to conduct alien migrant interdiction operations.  While on patrol Valiant conducted a live-fire gunnery exercise and trained and qualified personnel for flight operations. 

Valiant was commissioned in 1967 and currently has a crew of 75 men and women.

Editor's Note:  Click on thumbnails to view/download larger images. 

WINDWARD PASSAGE -- Crewmembers from the Coast Guard Cutter Valiant aboard one of the cutter's small boats make way toward a vessel they intend to board.  U.S. Coast Guard photo by OS3 J. Roe.

MONA PASSAGE -- A "tie-down team" aboard Coast Guard Cutter Valiant safely clears an HH-65C Dolphin helicopter after securing the aircraft to the flight deck.  Flight operations on Valiant's flight deck require teamwork and continuous training and qualification.  U.S. Coast Guard photo by OS3 J. Roe.

NEAR THE MONA PASSAGE -- Crewmembers aboard Coast Guard Cutter Valiant hone their battle skills during a live-fire gunnery exercise conducted during Valiant's 56-day patrol. As part of the U.S. Armed Forces, the Coast Guard supports the National Security Strategy and related defense strategies and operates alongside the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps, as it has done throughout the past two centuries. 
U.S. Coast Guard photo by OS3 J. Roe.

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