The Legend-class national security cutter USCGC Hamilton (WMSL 753) conducted operations in the Mediterranean Sea with the Italian coast guard and Italian navy on April 23, 2021. The operations were designed to increase interoperability as part of a regional effort to bolster maritime partnerships with NATO allies. More than half of regional economic activity relies on the safe and lawful use of maritime space, making maritime security essential to economic development and sustainment. To further this objective, Hamilton participated in search and rescue exercises with the Italian coast guard in the Tyrrhenian Sea.
Afterward, Hamilton transitioned to the Ionian Sea, conducting cross deck flight operations with the Italian navy to practice daylight landing at sea. Exercises like these strengthen alliance interoperability, combined operations, theater security cooperation, and capacity-building efforts. These operations follow a logistics visit to Naples, Italy, where the crew met with Italian coast guard leadership to enhance the U.S. and Italian military relationship further. As a law enforcement agency, regulatory agency, and a branch of the military, the service’s multi-mission mandate gives the Coast Guard a unique and unparalleled opportunity. The U.S. Coast Guard remains operational during COVID-19, following all COVID-19 safety precautions and regulations.
The U.S. Coast Guard is conducting a routine deployment in the U.S. Sixth Fleet area of operations, working alongside allies, building maritime domain awareness, and sharing best practices with partner nation navies and coast guards. U.S. Sixth Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied and interagency partners, in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa.The U.S. Coast Guard brings unique capabilities thanks to a wide suite of specialized maritime capabilities, competencies, and authorities. Their mission set capabilities to include search and rescue operations, counter-drug enforcement, living marine preservation and ports, waterway, and coastal security.
