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# USS Milwaukee Returns Home After 4th Fleet Deployment

By Petty Officer 2nd Class Danielle Baker, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command / U.S. 4th Fleet

                NAVAL STATION MAYPORT, Fla.  –              
                ATLANTIC OCEAN (Dec. 16, 2021) The Freedom-variant littoral combat ship USS Milwaukee (LCS 5) transits the Atlantic Ocean, Dec 16, 2021. Milwaukee 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 3rd Class Aaron Lau)                            211216-N-GF955-5000                            ATLANTIC OCEAN (Dec. 16, 2021) The Freedom-variant littoral combat ship USS Milwaukee (LCS 5) transits the Atlantic Ocean, Dec 16, 2021. Milwaukee 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 3rd Class Aaron Lau)            SHARE IMAGE:Download ImageImage DetailsPhoto By: MC3 Aaron LauVIRIN: 211216-N-GF955-5000

Milwaukee, along with the “Sea Knights” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 22, Detachment 5, deployed on December 14, 2021, to conduct U.S. Southern Command and Joint Interagency Task Force South’s counter-narcotics operations in the Caribbean Sea.While deployed, Milwaukee, with their embarked U.S. Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment (LEDET) 402, assisted in disrupting an estimated 915 kilograms of cocaine worth over an estimated street value of over $64 million and removed eight suspected drug traffickers from the narcotics trade.“This was a great experience for the crew, many of whom this was their first deployment,” said Cmdr. Brian Forster, commanding officer of Milwaukee. “We were able to accomplish many great feats including disrupting drug trafficking, working with our allied naval partners, going through the Panama Canal and even crossing the equator. The crew that is returning is a very different crew that left months ago.  They have seen many aspects of the world and different cultures including the cuisine.  We will continue to grow, not just as Sailors, but as Americans and keep our Navy the strongest in the world.”Milwaukee was the first to deploy with the MQ-8C Fire Scout, the Navy’s upgraded variant of the unmanned aircraft. Fire Scout was used to identify targets of interest and refine surveillance data of existing targets of interest, allowing for enhanced capabilities for counter illicit drug trafficking missions.Milwaukee conducted three bilateral maritime exercises with Jamaica, Martinique, and Ecuador to strengthen partnerships and build interoperability between forces.Additionally, Milwaukee transited the Panama Canal, crossed the equator and visited Manta, Ecuador to build lasting relationships with the Ecuadorian navy and conduct counter-illicit drug trafficking missions in the Eastern Pacific.During the port visit to Manta, the ship conducted military to military engagements and hosted the Mayor of Manta, Agustin Quijano, commander of the Jaramijó Naval Base, Capt. Diego Espinosa, and members of the Ecuadorian navy for a tour.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.

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USS Milwaukee (LCS 5)MayportC4F