The Legend-class national security cutter USCGC Hamilton (WMSL 753) transited into the Black Sea to support NATO Allies and partners, April 27, 2021. Hamilton is the first U.S. Coast Guard cutter to visit the Black Sea since 2008. The last U.S. Coast Guard cutter to visit the Black Sea, USCGC Dallas (WHEC 716), sailed to the Black Sea twice, in 2008 and 1995. This patrol comes after Hamilton conducted logistics visits to Naples, Italy, and Rota, Spain.
The U.S. Coast Guard is conducting a routine deployment in U.S. Sixth Fleet, working alongside Allies, building maritime domain awareness, and sharing best practices with partner nation navies and coast guards. The U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard operate forward, from the littoral to the open ocean, ensuring stability and open sea lanes across all maritime domains. U.S Sixth Fleet routinely conducts operations in the Black Sea.
USCGC Hamilton (WMSL-753) is the fourth Legend-class cutter of the United States Coast Guard. She is the fifth cutter named after Alexander Hamilton, who was the first United States Secretary of the Treasury and in that position requested the formation of the United States Coast Guard (as the United States Revenue Cutter Service). Construction began in September 2011 by Northrop Grumman’s Ship System Ingalls Shipyard in Pascagoula, Mississippi. The keel was laid on September 5, 2012.
In January 2020 the Hamilton became the first NSC to participate in a Navy Composite Training Unit Exercise, for 3 weeks the cutter integrated with the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower and Carrier Strike Group 10. After operating with the Carrier Strike Group the cutter patrolled the Eastern Pacific Ocean in support of Joint Interagency Task Force (JIATF) South. The cutter returned in April after the 80-day patrol throughout the Eastern Pacific Ocean and offloaded $324 million worth of cocaine and marijuana.
