Oliver Hazard Perry-class frigate USS Ingraham (FFG 61) returns from its final deployment to the 4th Fleet area of responsibility (AOR) Oct. 30 to make preparations for decommissioning.
The ship played an integral part in the counter-transnational organized crime (C-TOC) mission Operation Martillo (Spanish for “hammer”) during the deployment. Operation Martillo is a U.S., European and Western Hemisphere partner-nation effort that targets illicit trafficking routes in coastal waters of Central America.
Ingraham’s crew participated in the operation along with the “Dos Bravos” of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light (HSL) 49 Detachment 2 and three U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachments (LEDET).
The successful joint-service deployment resulted in 14 illegal drug disruptions for a total seizure of 11,937 kilograms of cocaine.
The 25 Sailors and two SH-60B Seahawk helicopters from HSL-49 returned to Naval Air Station North Island, San Diego, from the deployment aboard Ingraham Oct. 20. During the deployment, the detachment conducted 900 flight hours.
The ship also participated in 10 community relations (COMREL) projects, including those at Helen Keller School for the Blind, San Jose de Malambo Orphanage and Corozal Cemetery where Sailors helped to restore facilities and to distribute school supplies and toys donated by Project Handclasp.
Upon return, Ingraham’s crew will begin final preparations for the ship’s decommissioning, scheduled Nov. 12.
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Press release, Image: US Navy