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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The 80-member crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Valiant, a 210-foot Medium Endurance Cutter homeported at Naval Station Mayport, will return home Wednesday after completing a four-week deployment in support of Operation Blue Hammer.
Operation Blue Hammer focuses on alien migrant interdiction operations in the Straits of Florida.
The crew of the Valiant joined other surface and air assets from Sector Key West, Customs and Border Protection, and other law enforcement partners in detecting and interdicting individuals attempting to illegally enter the United States by sea. During the patrol, the Valiant crew stopped and processed 129 migrants and issued two notices of violation for U.S.-flagged vessels attempting to enter Cuba without the proper documentation.
The Valiant crew also conducted aviation and seamanship training to maintain readiness and proficiency with an HH-65 Dolphin helicopter from Air Station Miami and Coast Guard Cutter Sawfish, an 87-foot patrol boat out of Key West, Fla.
Additionally, the crew celebrated the re-enlistment of a third class petty officer, an advancement to chief petty officer, and an officer promotion.
For more information about Valiant, visit http://www.uscg.mil/lantarea/cgcValiant/default.asp