MAYPORT, Fla. (NNS) -- USS Stephen W. Groves (FFG 29) and embarked Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light 44 Detachment 5 returned to homeport in Mayport May 2 from a six-month Counter-Illicit Trafficking deployment to the Caribbean Sea and Eastern Pacific Ocean.
Groves also embarked Miami-based U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachments (LEDET) 409 and 404 while operating in the U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) area of focus under the operational control of U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command (NAVSO) and tactical control of Joint Inter-Agency Task Force South (JIATF-S). Counter-Illicit Trafficking operations are joint efforts designed to support participating nation's drug control programs.
The deployment began last October with Cmdr. Jon Kreitz commanding the ship. Kreitz's 18-month tour as commanding officer ended midway through the deployment, when Cmdr. Dan Starling assumed command before the ship made its way through the Panama Canal and into the Eastern Pacific.
"I continue to be amazed at the broad level of cooperation and coordination required to successfully combat Narco-terrorism," said Starling. "JIATF-S does a terrific job at tying all these diverse assets together, and the foreign navies and coast guards we've had the opportunity to work with exhibit tremendous professionalism."
Groves' counter-illicit trafficking mission quickly began when the crew discovered a "go-fast" boat, believed to be loaded with narcotics. "Go-fast" vessels are small, multi-engine speedboats commonly used to transport narcotics and contraband.
The ship pursued the suspect vessel and caught up to it. LEDET 409 conducted a boarding and seizure operation, resulting in the confiscation of 2,500 pounds of cocaine. Two days later, the ship responded to another "go-fast" threat and seized 1,300 pounds of narcotics.
In February, the ship was tasked to search for a stealthy self-propelled semi-submersible (SPSS) vessel, suspected of trafficking illegal drugs. LEDET 404 rapidly responded to the situation and boarded the SPSS, detaining several suspected traffickers from the scuttled, sinking vessel. An extensive search, using the ship's SH-60B helicopter and Rigid-Hull Inflatable Boat (RHIB), resulted in the recovery of 59 bales of cocaine. This was only the second successful SPSS bust ever performed by the U.S. Navy, and the largest SPSS contraband recovery to date.
Two weeks later, Groves intercepted a fishing vessel and recovered 39 bales of cocaine. This was the final bust of the deployment.
The deployment's early months included other types of events as well. During port visits to Roatan, Honduras; Panama City, Panama; and St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; Sailors engaged with local citizens by participating in volunteer community relations (COMREL) projects to renovate senior citizen homes, paint school buildings, and teach children about the core values of the U.S. Navy.
The ship's religious lay leader, Culinary Specialist 1st Class (SW) Marvincent Williams enjoyed having the chance to work with the locals.
"I just thank God for this opportunity to help and share our talents with the people in the ports we visit," he said. "I feel like we profit even more than they do from our experiences in their schools and communities."
Groves extended the U. S. Navy's international presence by participating in a community outreach program called Project Handclasp. The San Diego-based organization collects donated hygiene items, medical supplies, learning materials and toys, so ships can distribute them to hospitals, schools, and orphanages around the world. Groves' Sailors donated Project Handclasp materials to a local children's hospital in Panama City, and worked with the Colombian Navy to paint an elementary school in Cartagena, Colombia, also giving out Project Handclasp gifts to the students there.
Many of Groves crew members were recognized for their performances and vital contributions to the ship's operational success. Two sailors were awarded Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, while 27 earned Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals.
"This crew is the pinnacle of Navy professionalism," said Groves' Command Master Chief (SW/AW) Brad Shepherd. "They are young, energetic and forthright in all endeavors of the mission—a hallmark of eagerness and the premier crew to orchestrate and execute the war on Narco-terrorism."