The Coast Guard Cutter Campbell has returned to Newport, its home port, following a 73-day migrant interdiction patrol in the Windward Passage.
The 270-foot, Famous-class medium endurance cutter arrived Wednesday after deploying in support of Homeland Security Task Force – Southeast and Operation Vigilant Sentry.
During its deployment, Campbell’s crew conducted maritime safety and security missions while working to detect, deter and intercept unsafe and illegal maritime migration ventures bound for the United States.
The cutter served as the lead vessel and commander of a task unit coordinating multiple assets in the Windward Passage, including Coast Guard Cutters Venturous, Isaac Mayo, Joseph Napier, and Robert Yered.
Campbell’s crew cared for and repatriated 11 Haitian migrants during the patrol. The combined presence of U.S. Coast Guard assets in the area supported the interdiction and deterrence of 643 migrants throughout Campbell’s deployment.
Cmdr. Jonathan Harris, commanding officer of Campbell, praised the efforts of Coast Guard personnel operating in the region.
“I am continuously impressed by the professionalism and work ethic demonstrated by the many other U.S. Coast Guard crews on cutters and aircraft that are constantly operating in the Windward Passage,” Harris said.
He emphasized the importance of teamwork in their mission. “Teamwork is one of our greatest strengths on Campbell, and that was a key factor in preventing unsafe migrant ventures on board overcrowded vessels in these waters,” Harris added.
To ensure operational readiness, Campbell’s crew underwent extensive training while underway. They worked with Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater and Coast Guard Air Station Cape Cod to conduct bow hoisting, flight deck hoisting, helicopter launches and landings.
These exercises aimed to prepare for medical emergencies and improve response times when working with aviation assets.
The Homeland Security Task Force – Southeast serves as the Department of Homeland Security lead for operational and tactical planning, command and control in the region.
It acts as a standing organization to interdict unlawful maritime migration attempts, working alongside federal, state and local partners.
The task force continues to enhance enforcement efforts in support of Operation Vigilant Sentry, a 2004 DHS plan to respond to mass maritime migration in the Caribbean Sea and the Florida Straits.
Campbell’s primary missions include counter-narcotics operations, migrant interdiction, living marine resources protection, and search and rescue. These operations support U.S. Coast Guard efforts throughout the Western Hemisphere.
