KMXT 100.1 FM Public Radio in Kodiak, Alaska
The Coast Guard cutter Alex Haley returned home to Kodiak on Friday after a 97-day deployment. According to a Coast Guard statement, the 282-foot cutter spent much of the deployment patrolling the Aleutian Islands and Bering Sea, including the maritime dividing line between the United States and Russia.
The need for law enforcement and search and rescue services continues, even in the midst of a pandemic, said commanding officer Benjamin Golightly.
“Despite the extraordinary external pressures they faced while away from their families, Alex Haley crewmembers diligently executed their duties,”said Golightly.
The Alex Haley also conducted domestic fisheries enforcement boardings and responded to three search and rescue cases, the statement said.
In February, the cutter completed a readiness assessment in San Diego, which including testing capabilities in force protection, communications, damage control, engineering, medical response, navigation, and seamanship.
The Alex Haley has been homeported in Kodiak since the ship was recommissioned in 1999. It is built to withstand extreme weather conditions routinely operates in the Gulf of Alaska and Bering Sea. The cutter’s primary missions are in fisheries law enforcement and search and rescue.
