The U.S. Coast Guard cutter Midgett and crew completed a 129-day deployment that included readiness training in and around Southern California and enforcing fishery laws during 50 days on patrol in the Bering Sea.
The cutter returned to its Honolulu homeport in mid-January.
According to the Coast Guard, the Midgett played a role “projecting U.S. influence and protecting the nation’s interests” as the only U.S. maritime military service operating consistently in the Bering Sea, Chukchi Sea and Arctic Ocean.
The Midgett and its crew implemented the Coast Guard’s Arctic Strategic Outlook objectives within the 17th Coast Guard District area of responsibility, enforced fishery laws in the $13.9-billion Alaskan fishing industry and maintained a continuous search-and-rescue guard amidst harsh winter weather, according to the Guard.
The cutter’s crew completed 10 federal fisheries boardings and ensured adherence to federal laws and regulations while fostering a collaborative partnership with the Alaskan fishing fleet.
The crew focused on multiple community relations events with the city of Unalaska for District 17’s “Kids Don’t Float” outreach program, which included a tour of Midgett for 54 local elementary school students.
The crew also taught 200 students initial actions for cold-water immersion, life jacket laws, how to determine the best type and fit and the appropriate life jackets for different situations.
The Midgett is a 418-foot Legend-Class National Security cutter that conducts search and rescue, fisheries law enforcement, maritime homeland security and defense missions. She has been homeported in Honolulu since 2019.