USS Boone visits NYC during Fleet Week in 2002 (US Navy Photo)USS Boone (FFG 28) and embarked units returned home Oct 5 after six months deployed to the Eastern Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea.
Boone and Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light (HSL) 42 Detachment 2 (Det 2) of Mayport, and U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment (LEDET) 406 of Miami, returned home to family and friends after conducting counter-illicit trafficking operations in the U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) area of focus, which encompasses the Caribbean, Central and South America, and surrounding waters.
During the deployment, Boone transited through the Panama Canal four times, intercepted 3.6 tons of illegal drugs, and rescued 50 migrants while investigating a suspicious vessel. Boone provided the migrants with medical care, showers, shelter, and food before returning them safely to shore.
Boone's Commanding Officer Cmdr. Newman J. Evans, III commented that Boone Sailors have made a difference in the SOUTHCOM area of responsibility and said, "Everyone performed superbly over the past six months, and I am very proud of each and every Sailor on Boone."
Boone took short patrol breaks in ports that allowed the crew to experience the culture of Central and South American countries. In Panama, Sailors had the opportunity to fish, tour native villages, surf, and dive. Sailors also participated in a Community Relations (COMREL) project at the Pu Malambo Orphanage in Arraijan, Panama. Boone visited the orphanage, which shelters children infected with the AIDS Virus, and participated in the orphanage's 118th Birthday "Malambado" celebration.
Boone also visited Cartagena, Colombia, and Sailors participated in tours of old Spanish forts, uninhabited islands, and Colombian naval vessels. Boone's Chief Petty Officer's Mess gave Project Handclasp materials to a local orphanage. The materials included toys as well as health and comfort items. Through Project Handclasp, a worldwide humanitarian and goodwill program, the Navy collects donations from various private-sector organizations and companies, and delivers them to people in need. Also while in Colombia, Sailors participated in a basketball game against the crew form the Colombian Navy submarine ARC Pijao (S-28).
Boone conducted numerous training events during their deployment including an Expendable Mobile Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Training Target (EMATT) exercise to increase antisubmarine warfare proficiency and improve ship and helicopter interaction. Immediately following the EMATT, Boone's boatswain's mates, gunner's mates, and search and rescue (SAR) swimmers conducted a successful recovery of the air-dropped Recoverable Exercise Torpedo (REXTORP).
Boone also pulled into Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala, where Sailors had the opportunity to tour ancient Mayan ruins and participate in volleyball, soccer, and basketball games against Sailors from the Guatemalan Navy.
After returning to Panama several times, Boone made their final liberty stop in Cozumel, Mexico, where the crew enjoyed the tropical climate and clear water.
During the deployment, Boone was under operational control of U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command (NAVSO)/U.S. 4th Fleet conducting counter-illicit trafficking operations for Joint Interagency Task Force-South in the SOUTHCOM area of focus. Once the ship returned to Mayport, U.S. 2nd Fleet took over operational control.
NAVSO, the Naval Component Command of SOUTHCOM, directs U.S. Naval Forces operating in the Caribbean, Central and South American regions and interacts with partner nation navies within the maritime environment. Various operations include counter-illicit trafficking, theater security cooperation, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, military-to-military interaction and bilateral and multinational training.