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	USS Billings Returns Home After U.S. 4th Fleet Deployment
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        <h1 class="title">USS Billings Returns Home After U.S. 4th Fleet Deployment</h1>
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                 alt="he Freedom-variant littoral combat ship USS Billings (LCS 15) transits the Caribbean Sea, July 10, 2021."
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            <div class="image-caption">CARIBBEAN SEA - (July 10, 2021) The Freedom-variant littoral combat ship USS Billings (LCS 15) transits the Caribbean Sea, July 10, 2021. Billings is deployed to the U.S. 4th Fleet area of operations to support Joint Interagency Task Force South�s mission, which includes counter-illicit drug trafficking missions in the Caribbean Sea and eastern Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Austin G. Collins)</div>
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                 alt="An MH-60S Seahawk helicopter attached to the  “Snowmen” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 28, Detachment 5, takes off from the flight deck."
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            <div class="image-caption">FILE PHOTO CARIBBEAN SEA (July 23, 2021) An MH-60S Seahawk helicopter from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 28, Detachment 5, takes off from the flight deck of the Freedom-variant littoral combat ship USS Billings (LCS 15) for flight operations, July 23, 2021 while deployed to the U.S. 4th Fleet area of operations to support Joint Interagency Task Force South’s mission, which includes counter-illicit drug trafficking missions in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Marianne Guemo)</div>
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    <div><b>By Lt. Lyndsi Gutierrez, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet Public Affairs</b> <span class="date">/ Published Oct. 30, 2021</span></div>
    <span class="dateline-text">MAYPORT, Fla., </span>
    <p>Billings (Gold crew), along with the “Snowmen" of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 28, Detachment 5, deployed June 30,  to conduct U.S. Southern Command and Joint Interagency Task Force South’s counter-narcotics operations in the Caribbean Sea.<br />
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                FILE PHOTO CARIBBEAN SEA (July 23, 2021) An MH-60S Seahawk helicopter from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 28, Detachment 5, takes off from the flight deck of the Freedom-variant littoral combat ship USS Billings (LCS 15) for flight operations, July 23, 2021 while deployed to the U.S. 4th Fleet area of operations to support Joint Interagency Task Force South’s mission, which includes counter-illicit drug trafficking missions in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Marianne Guemo)
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                FILE PHOTO CARIBBEAN SEA (July 23, 2021) An MH-60S Seahawk helicopter from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 28, Detachment 5, takes off from the flight deck of the Freedom-variant littoral combat ship USS Billings (LCS 15) for flight operations, July 23, 2021 while deployed to the U.S. 4th Fleet area of operations to support Joint Interagency Task Force South’s mission, which includes counter-illicit drug trafficking missions in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Marianne Guemo)
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                            <span>Photo By: Petty Officer 2nd Class Marianne Guemo</span>
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During their deployment, Billings, with their embarked U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment (LEDET), assisted in disrupting an estimated 1,597 kilograms of cocaine worth over an estimated street value of over $111.8 million and removed thirteen suspected drug traffickers from the narcotics trade.<br />
<br />
When a 7.2-magnitude earthquake struck Haiti Aug. 14, 2021, Billings joined in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) efforts as part of the Joint Force Maritime Component Command. Billings provided support as an afloat refueling base for Joint Task Force-Haiti aircraft and utilized her MH-60S Sea Hawk from HSC-28 to move personnel and transport life-saving aid to remote areas in need.<br />
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<div class="ast-glance">
    “I am incredibly proud of the Sailors on Billings for everything they accomplished this deployment, Hooyah Team Billings!” said Cmdr. Brett Seeley, commanding officer aboard Billings. “The incredible work ethic, professionalism, and resiliency of this team was crucial in conducting real world operations. Taking narcotics off the streets, easing suffering of the people of Haiti through HADR, and building partnerships in this part of the world has had tangible impacts, and sets the stage for those who sail after us. I could not have asked for a better maiden deployment for our mighty warship and the Thundercat crew!”
</div>

</p>

<p>Billings conducted three bilateral maritime exercises with Jamaica, and the Dominican Republic to strengthen partnerships and build interoperability between forces.</p>

<p>During a port visit to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, the ship hosted a reception onboard, welcoming the President of the Dominican Republic, His Excellency Mr. Luis Rodolfo Abinader, Vice President of the Dominican Republic Raquel Peña, Chargé d’Affaires of U.S. Embassy Santo Domingo, Mr. Robert W. Thomas.</p>

<p>Upon arriving in U.S. 4th Fleet area of operations, Billings also participated in a surface training exercise with USS Sioux City (LCS 11) and USS Wichita (LCS 13), marking the first time three Freedom-variant LCS ships have been deployed and operating together at the same time.</p>

<p>Throughout the deployment, Billings partnered with other U.S. Navy warships, as well as numerous U.S. agencies from the Departments of Defense, Justice and Homeland Security, in the effort to combat transnational organized crime.</p>

<p>The Coast Guard, U.S. Navy, Customs and Border Protection, FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, along with allied and international partner agencies, are all playing a role in counter-drug operations.</p>

<p>U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet supports U.S. Southern Command’s joint and combined military operations by employing maritime forces in cooperative maritime security operations to maintain access, enhance interoperability, and build enduring partnerships in order to enhance regional security and promote peace, stability and prosperity in the Caribbean, Central and South American region.</p>
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