Posted on 09/15/2006 11:13:07 AM PDT by Excuse_My_Bellicosity
EASTERN PACIFIC OCEAN (NNS) -- USS Stephen W. Groves (FFG 29) recently scored her third successful take down of narcotics trafficking vessels in less than two weeks, and assisted in the take down of a fourth, interdicting an estimated 8.1 metric tons of cocaine during a counter-narco terrorism operations (CNT OPS) deployment for U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command.
While on patrol in the Eastern Pacific Ocean in early August, Stephen W. Groves took down a “go fast” loaded with an estimated 2.6 metric tons of cocaine and interdicted another “go fast” that was preparing to onload narcotics. “Go fast” vessels are small, multi-engined speedboats commonly used to transport illicit narcotics.
Less than two weeks later, the ship’s crew, along with Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (Light) (46), Det. 8, and embarked Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment (LEDET) 105 interdicted a third “go fast” vessel. Stephen W. Groves was able to close to within a few miles of the “go fast” before being detected and having to give chase. Stephen W. Groves pursued the “go fast” at high speed for the next hour and a half before catching her and detaining her four crew members.
“It is really rare to capture a fully-fuelled 'go-fast' in a flat-out chase,” said Lt. j.g. Scott McCann, LEDET 105 officer in charge. "It is estimated this bust prevented 3 metric tons of cocaine from making it to the United States."
A 26-hour, 750-mile pursuit a few days later resulted in the interdiction of an additional 2.5 metric tons of cocaine and the detention of 10 suspects.
“Only with the precise coordination of everyone involved was the capture of these go-fasts possible,” added Stephen W. Groves’ Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Jon Kreitz. “We could not have had these successes without the terrific support of several maritime patrol aircraft and personnel ashore. We’ve had a terrific couple of weeks interdicting over eight tons of cocaine.”
Stephen W. Groves began her six-month counter-drug operations deployment to the U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command area of responsibility in early April. While deployed, Stephen W. Groves’ crew works with other assets from Joint Interagency Task Force South, the agency responsible for counter-drug operations in the Eastern Pacific and Caribbean.
Homeported in Mayport, Fla., Stephen W. Groves is a Commander, Destroyer Squadron 14 ship. During the ship’s deployment, the crew will be patrolling nearly 4 million square nautical miles of water in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific.
"This is what I joined the Navy for, for a chance to get out and do what we train for, and for a chance to really make a difference," Quartermaster 2nd Class (SW) Zachary Bullock said. "I know that’s what we’re doing."
For more information on Stephen W. Groves, go to www.groves.navy.mil.
For more information on U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command, go to www.cusns.navy.mil.
For related news, visit the Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/cusns/.
i appreciate your thoughts.
I don't deny that there are people who are curious and would try drugs. I just think the efforts and money fighting the drugs on war is just another wasted venture by the government to make people feel good while obtaining no valid results.
As I written that I never had the need for drugs --though vicodin works wonders if you can't sleep as I found out when I was in the hospital for hernia and another surgery--- I did have a very unique anti drug message in my earlier years coming from a place many on here would never guess. it was from the music/lyrics of straight edge hardcore punk bands.
Dang! Sailors have all the fun!
76-mm on a Frig
Dating myself, huh? Well, works for me. I didn't mind those 5" or the 40mm stuff going off near me, but those 3 inch things had an awful"crack" when they went off.
I'm not totally against the idea.
However, I say "Remove the crew from the boat (and imprison them) and as long as it's not in an area of frequent shipping (deep enough water), sink it with the cargo on board."
Film the seizure on tape as well as the naval gunfire that sinks the ship. Make sure the video gets sent to youtube.com, the MSM, etc.
I know, I know. Since it was passed no one has ever been prosecuted under the Posse Comitatus act.
Okay. But at 25.4 mm to an inch, I'll take that as a 3 inch gun.
You say to-may-toe and I say to-mah-toe. Damn metric stuph!
Not necessarily. There are several postings that indicate I am in error. My son is currently serving in the Navy; and, he did indicate that his ship was refitted with 5" guns. They will eventually refit those with 155mm so the same ammo can be shared with the army and Marines.
He grinched when they pulled the .50 cals off the mounts, but was delighted with the 30mm gatling guns that replaced them. (Except that they don't get to practice with the gatling guns much .... and they are truely noisy.)
Myself, well, I wish the New Jersey were still in service. I like really big stuff. ;-D
I was an army puke.
She's sleek and sexy, really. Thanks for the correction.
I call BS.
Exactely... Eighteen wheeler loads of many things including cocaine across the border.. Wonder what a border patrolman costs these days along a 2000 mile border..
Wrong Mr Naive, most potheads are into alot more than just pot. I know, I was one. Good work Sailors!
Pray for W and Our Troops
Neither, and any jackass that would accuse the United States Navy of that should be ashamed of his horrendous ignorance and.
Congratulations to the USN on a great bust.
What Prohibition? Possession was legal. Doctors could prescribe whiskey as "medicine." Low alcohol beer was legal. Law enforcement officers couldn't enter establishments that were serving it. It was Prohibition in name only.
Please move to one of those countries where you'll be happy.
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